GP polls: Brothers, in-laws go head to head

Elections will not affect our relationships, say candidates

The upcoming Grama Panchayat (GP) elections has provided stage for some ‘relative’ electoral battles in Mandya district. At Indavalu village of Mandya taluk, two brothers are contending for a berth, while sisters-in-law will battle it out at Haluvadi and Mayannanakoppalu villages.

At ward 2 of Indavalu village, which is reserved for backward class candidates, Rajappaji and his younger brother Puttaswamachar are contesting the polls. While the elder brother is backed by the Congress, Puttaswamachar is supported by BJP.

In ward 1 of Haluvadi GP, reserved for women, H S Prema and Vinutha have filed nominations. While Prema is the wife of Krishna, Vinutha is the wife of Krishna’s brother, Manchegowda. At Mayannanakoppalu, reserved for backward classes, Sharadamma, wife of Venkateshachar and Lakshmi, wife of Mohankumar (Venkateshachar’s brother) are in the fray. Sharadamma is backed by Congress, while Lakshmi has the support of JD(S) party.

Members of the same family are contesting the polls at Gopalapura village of Mandya taluk. Lakshmi, daughter-in-law of Kempanna, is battling against, Savithramma, wife of Kempanna’s brother Srinivas.

At Kennalu village, mother, son and daughter-in-law are contesting the polls. The trio however, have filed nominations for berths in different GPs.

While mother Prabhavathi will contest from Haralahalli first block and son Subramanya from Visveswaranagar, daughter-in-law Sumitra is seeking election from Haralahalli second block.

At Agatahalli of Byadarahalli GP, Chikkathayamma Krishnegowda, who is backed by the JD(S) is contesting against her daughter Bhagyamma Ramesh, who has the support from Congress-Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha coalition.

Puttaswamachar, contesting from Indavalu, said, elections will not affect his family relationship. “My relationship with my brother Rajappaji is good. While he was recognised in one camp, I have been recognised in another camp. Therefore, elections have become unavoidable,” he said.

According to Rajappaji, it is common to have two different parties in a village. “Since, we have been affiliated to different parties for long, our names were proposed for the election. We should face it and see who turns out victorious,” he said.

However, Basavaraju, a resident of the village, has a different view. “It is not advisable to have your relatives as opponents in polls. It has and will spoil relationships,” he said.