Dynasty politics in major parties ensured seat stays within families

KOPPAL:

Koppal

is a unique

Lok Sabha constituency

which involves eight assembly segments of three districts and the BJP has had a stranglehold since 2009. Earlier, the constituency had been electing candidates from various parties, including Congress ten times, and independents.


BJP candidate Karadi Sanganna, looking for a second consecutive term, faced a tough time getting the ticket as the central leadership was not happy with him. He had wanted the party to give the ticket to son Amaresh in the 2018 assembly elections and even threatened to resign as MP if it wasn’t done. His son lost the elections and the party had almost decided to drop Sanganna this time. Eventually, he managed to get the ticket.

Dynasty politics

rules in this constituency. Sang anna’s son Amaresh lost the assembly elections to Raghavendra Hitnal (Congress). Currently, Hitnal’s brother Rajashekar is the Congress candidate for the

Lok Sabha elections

. Interestingly, Hitnal’s brother Basavaraj, a contemporary of Sanganna, lost four assembly elections to Sanganna in 1994, 1999, 2008 and 2011 but defeated him only once in 2004. Sanganna had been in the JD(S) till 2008.

For Rajashekar too, it wasn’t easy to get the Congress ticket. His father Basavaraj himself was a strong contender. While the names of other leaders like Siddaramaiah, Basavaraj Rayaraddi and Basanagouda Badarli were doing the rounds, Congress legislature party leader and Kuruba strongman Siddaramaiah had the last word and Rajashekar got the ticket.

The BJP is pinning its hopes on five MLAs in the eight assembly segments. With three MLAs, Congress has an uphill task of recapturing the constituency. While Sanganna is eyeing the Lingayat votes (over 3.5 lakh), Rajashekar has the backing of his Kuruba community votes (about 2.5 lakh) and also banking on over 2 lakh Muslim votes.

However, SC, ST, Uppar, Brahmin and others could make a huge difference. Currently, both parties are trying to woo Kuruba voters by inviting Siddaramaiah and KS Eshwarappa to campaign.

Beyond the family politics, the aam aadmi is most concerned about drought in the district and drinking water is a major issue in most villages. Many villages are home to senior citizens as the young and middle-aged persons have migrated to Mangaluru, Goa and Bengaluru in search of jobs.