Scion of the times

With sitting ministers reluctant to contest the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress fields their children in Karnataka

- PRATHIMA NANDAKUMAR

With the debate on ‘dynasty politics’ dominating the election discourse in Karnataka, and with all three major parties picking family members to be “on the safe side”, the ruling Congress has tried a new experiment— fielding children of sitting ministers. Apparently, the ministers were reluctant to give up their cabinet berths. Insiders say it is a win-win for the ministers and the party—the party hopes the ministers’ influence would help it win, and the ministers are happy to fund the election to launch their children.

Even though Congress leaders argue that the candidates were selected based on elaborate surveys and stringent scrutiny, the final choices were a giveaway. Opposition leaders even said that the Congress, which is complaining of fund crunch as its accounts have been frozen, is forced to rely on the ministers to mobilise resources.

The party has fielded Priyanka Jarkiholi, 27, daughter of Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi from Chikkodi; Mrinal Hebbalkar, 31, son of Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar from Belagavi; Sagar Khandre, 26, son of Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre from Bidar; Samyuktha Patil, 29, daughter of Sugarcane Development and Textiles Minister Shivanand Patil from Bagalkot; Sunil Bose, 42, son of Social Welfare Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa from Chamarajanagar (SC seat); and former MLA Sowmya Reddy, 41, daughter of Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy from Bangalore South.

Interestingly, the announcement was no big surprise as the aspirants had been quietly campaigning for months. Bagging a ticket does not guarantee success; the newbies have to fight rebellion within the party and political opponents who are banking on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.