Some kin do it, some can't

For the winning BJP candidate from Vasanthnagar (Ward 93), Katta Jagadish, a strong contender for the post of Mayor, victory on Monday seemed to be predetermined and waiting to happen, going by the sheer number of party supporters who had gathered at the Ramnarayan Chellaram College, the counting centre for the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency.

Jagadish, son of minister Katta Subramanya Naidu was one of the earliest prominent candidates to arrive at the counting centre, surrounded by BJP supporters waving party flags and flaunting the ‘V’ sign to bystanders. Speaking on his victory in his first election, Jagadish said, “We expected this victory. It is a victory for development. The government led by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has done a lot of work, since the BJP was sworn into power. The City has been given priority for improvement of infrastructure. The BJP will not just compare this City to Singapore, but will strive to make it on par with some of the best cities.” 

In Shantalanagar, Thirty-one year old K Shivakumar, an independent won by a meagre 212 votes. He rode on the reputation of his brotherVasudevamurthy, an ex-corporator from Shanthinagar and former deputy mayor "My brother was with JD(U) and then with the JD(S), however he was not given ticket this time. My brother has done considerable work in our area and we used his name during the campaign," he said.  
In Basavapura, it was the daughter of former minister Krishnappa of the Congress, K Poornima who was the winner. She believes that her father’s development work had helped her  to beat her nearest rival K Balakrishna from BJP by a mere 227 votes.  "My father has done good work in KR Puram constituency and people have recognised this and have voted for me," she said.

 There were many heartbreaks too. D A Gopal, uncle of K Poornima and brother of A Krishnappa was not so lucky. Contesting from A Narayanapura, he banked on his brother’s laurels, but lost. He attributed his defeat to the BJP’s political clout and less voter turnout in the elections. “People think that BJP is doing good work, but they will know the results soon,”he said.

Another notable loss of a "family" candidate was that of M L Ravishankar at Nagapura, brother of Congress MLA Narendra Babu.
DH News Service