Political heirs set the ball rolling in Varuna

Even before the candidates are declared, Varuna constituency, now represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is witnessing a high-pitched campaigning by probable candidates of both the national parties.

Besides, the candidates are high-profile - Dr Yathindra of Congress, son of CM Siddaramaiah, and B Y Vijayendra, son of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. S M Abhishek, whose candidature was declared almost a fortnight ago by the JD(S) is keeping a low-profile, compared to the other two.

Dr Yathindra, who has hospitals and diagnostic laboratories in Bengaluru and Mysuru, now resides in TK Layout in the city, under Krishnaraja Assembly constituency. His native Siddaramana Hundi is under Varuna constituency.

B Y Vijayendra, a native of Bookanakere under KR Pet Assembly constituency of Mandya district, was born and brought up in Shikaripura of Shivamogga district. But, he has some relatives in Mysuru district and also in Varuna constituency.

Vijayendra performed the 'Gruhapravesha' of the house he has taken on rent recently at Varuna village, on Wednesday. Later, he took part in a programme, in the city, at a private hotel, where hundreds of the Congress and JD(S) workers and leaders, including ex-Zilla Panchayat member Siddegowda.

Siddegowda said, he was with Siddaramaiah for nearly 35 years in the Janata Parivar and also in the Congress from the Chamundeshwari days to the Varuna glory, but, was disappointed with his attitude towards the supporters. "Siddaramaiah is secular only in his speeches. He is casteist to the core. Throughout his career as MLA, minister and chief minister, only a select people were benefitted. Whatever works have been sanctioned to his constituency have been executed by a few contractors, whom he favoured. The quality of the works are substandard. People cannot question this as Siddaramaiah himself and his contractors are arrogant," he said.

Vijayendra said, only a couple of chief ministers have been able to complete their full term of five years and Siddaramaiah was fortunate to be one of them, so, if he was committed to his voters, he could have turned Varuna into a model constituency in the state. "When I tour the villages now, I find that the farmers of the constituency are in distress. Their crops have withered. Instead of letting the KRS dam waters into the canals, the CM has diverted all water to Tamil Nadu. The farmers, who have lost their lands to the industries, have been rendered helpless. Their children have no jobs. Criminal cases have been filed against the people who opposed Siddaramaiah and his aides," he said.

Besides taking part in a campaign to seek support for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, organised by Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike and Pragathipara Sangatanegala Okoota, in the city, Dr Yathindra toured the villages under the Varuna constituency, seeking the support of the people.