Karnad campaigns for Nilekani

Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad on Sunday morning did some walking and talking along with Bangalore South  candidate Nandan Nilekani’s wife Rohini Nilekani, seeking votes in JP Nagar here for the Congress nominee. The 75-year-old Karnad openly endorsed the candidature of Nilekani.

Both Karnad and Rohini were supposed to begin their campaign in parts of JP Nagar II phase at 11.30 am. Karnad, who resides in the same area, was seen waiting for Rohini from 11.15 am.

As soon as she arrived, the Karnads welcomed her to their house. Without wasting any time, they began meeting the residents of the area. Rohini distributed pamphlets that had the photo of her husband and the Congress symbol, in 15th and 16th Cross.

They were joined by writer Marulasiddappa, also a resident of the area. His wife and film director son Chaitanya too joined the campaign. They went door to door to canvas for Nilekani. Marulasiddappa, who enthusiastically campaigned for the former Aadhaar chief, said he was always with the Congress and thus had no hesitation to seek votes for Nilekani.

Karnad knocked on the doors and made phone calls to make the residents to come out and listen to them. Later, the Congress workers requested them to address the crowd that had gathered in a nearby slum. Rohini, speaking in Kannada, said, “I have come here on my husband’s behalf. Please vote for him. There was no need for him to enter politics. But he has come because he wants to bring some change in politics.”

Karnad said he is seeking vote for Nilekani because he is a good candidate. “We need a change. Just because I am a Jnanpith awardee, I need not maintain silence. There is nothing wrong in campaigning for a good person. I have not come across a person like Nilekani. I am ready to go wherever he wants me to,” the writer said.

Replying to a question by the media, Karnad said it is not a new trend for writers to get involved in politics. Even Dr Shivaram Karanth and others were drawn to politics, he pointed out.

The campaign went on from 11.30 to 2 pm. The exercise may be repeated next Sunday, it is said.

On his part, Nilekani went on a padayatra in parks. This has become a sort of routine as he is meeting people in parks in the mornings.

The Congress also made film actress Bhavana to campaign in Vyalikaval area, for Bangalore North candidate

C Narayanaswamy. She walked along with former mayor Ramachandrappa to interact with vendors seeking votes for the party. She figures in the list of Congress’ star campaigners.