The not-so-well-known face among the rich and seasoned politicians contesting the elections to the Upper Houses of the Legislature and Parliament from the State Assembly is Jayamma Balaraj (Congress). The 58-year-old class VII pass is a two-time (sitting) member of the Chitradurga Zilla Panchayat.

“I was backed by Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya and KPCC. They considered me for the Council seat as I am a loyal party worker from the Yadava community,” she said.

She has been with the Congress for 35 years. Jayamma was considered after the party decided to shore up its Yadava community vote base. Jayamma’s husband Balaraj is a local Congress leader in Chitradurga. The couple has three sons and a daughter.