BENGALURU: The fight for political dominance in the Vokkaliga heartland of Old Mysuru region has begun in earnest following KPCC president DK Shivakumar’s recent padayatra seeking the implementation of Mekedatu project across Cauvery, the lifeline of south Karnataka.
Through this outreach programme, the 59-year-old leader is apparently looking to emerge the champion of the Vokkaliga community, that comprises 15 percent of the state’s population, ahead of the 2023 polls as it would hold the key to Congress’ return to power.
There are 70 seats up for grabs and its proximity to the power hub, Bengaluru, makes the region all the more critical for any party hoping to win the assembly elections.
Traditionally, the Vokkaliga community has always backed HD Deve Gowda and his family. But since 2019, JD(S)’ support base among the Vokkaligas has been eroding, following a series of poll debacles, especially in its strongholds, leading to mass defections. Shivakumar, a protege of former chief minister SM Krishna, now in BJP, sees it as a huge opportunity to step into the big shoes of the Gowdas by taking up the community’s cause.
There are many in Congress who admit that none, including Shivakumar, can match Deve Gowda when it comes to influence over the community. But many also feel there is none other than Shivakumar to replace him since HD Kumaraswamy, who is seen as Deve Gowda’s successor, has been increasingly losing confidence of party members.
There’s also a perception that the Gowdas have put the family interest ahead of the community and have been steadily losing ground even in their fiefdom of south Karnataka.
But it’s easier said than done. Shivakumar’s career has followed an upward trajectory since his first win in Sathanur assembly constituency in 1989. He has won all subsequent elections, shifting to the Kanakapura seat in 2008 after his former constituency ceased to exist as a result of a delimitation exercise. While his financial clout has improved manifold, according to the affidavits submitted by him before the Election Commission, his political clout has been limited to Ramanagara and Bengaluru Rural over the past 15 years and he has not been able to emerge as a mass leader. His image took a hit after he was raided by income tax officials in 2019.
Senior Congress functionary BL Shankar said the recent padayatra has provided Shivakumar a perfect platform to accomplish his goal to emerge a Vokkaliga strongman and it’s only a matter of time. “Shivakumar does not necessarily have to overthrow the Gowdas to become a community leader. When Deve Gowda was at his peak in the 1990s, SM Krishna had made a space for himself and emerged leader and even went on to become CM,” Shankar pointed out.
“Deve Gowda undoubtedly is still champion of the Vokkaliga community but not Kumaraswamy. Shivakumar, through the padayatra, has sent out a clear message that he will represent the community after Gowda but not Kumaraswamy,” said Ramesh Babu, former JD(S) MLC and Congress functionary.
