Political dynasties still hold sway in Karnataka

A lion's share of winners from such families is from BJP

Bengaluru: Several BJP candidates who won the elections in the state hail from political dynasties.

From B Y Raghavendra, son of BJP president B S Yeddyurappa to Shivakumar Udasi, son of former minister C M Udasi, many representing political families sailed to a smooth victory. However, some members of ‘political dynasties’, especially from the Congress and JD(S) had to taste defeat in the elections.

In Shimoga constituency, Raghavendra defeated another member of a political family - Madhu Bangarappa, son of former chief minister S Bangarappa, by a margin of 2.28 lakh votes. With the victory, Raghavendra was elected for the fourth time to Parliament.

Giant killer

BJP’s Dr. Umesh Jadhav, who emerged as the giant killer in Gulbarga constituency, also entered the league of dynastic politicians. Apart from securing a significant victory against Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge, he also ensured that his son, Dr. Avinash Jadhav’s win from Chincholi Assembly segment in the bypoll.

Other prominent members of such dynasties who won included Shivakumar Udasi - who will be representing Haveri constituency for the third consecutive term. Similarly, Anna Saheb Jolle secured victory with the BJP ticket at Chikkodi Lok Sabha segment after having tasted defeat from Chikkodi assembly seat in 2018. He is the husband of Shashikala Jolle, who represents Nippani assembly constituency in Belagavi.

G M Siddeshwara is another BJP MP, who has been elected for the fourth time from Haveri constituency. His father, late Shri G Mallikarajunappa was also an MP.

Though JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda ensured that one of his family members enters Parliament, it came at a great cost for JD(S) and its coalition partner Congress. While his grandson Prajwal Revanna won in Hassan, both Deve Gowda and another grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy were defeated.

Apart from Gowda and Nikhil, members of such families who lost included Congress’s Eshwara Khandre in Bidar - son of former minister Bhimanna Khandre - and Veena Kashappanavar - wife of former minister Vijayananda Kashappanavar.