Krishnaraja MLA Ramadas to have tough time? Brahmin community wants a new face
2 min read
Mysuru: While Krishnaraja MLA S A Ramadas is riding high after receiving appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi – on a couple of times – the constituency’s Brahmin community is pitching for a new leader.
Interestingly, four-time MLA Ramadas belongs to the Brahmin community, which forms 70 per cent of the total population and voters in the constituency. Krishnaraja constituency, which is a prestigious constituency in Mysuru and is a strong BJP bastion.
On Thursday, Mysuru City and District Brahmins’ Association president DT Prakash told mediapersons here, MLA Ramadas hardly responds to any problem in the constituency, so they want a new face to represent them in the upcoming Assembly elections. Rumours are rife that former Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chairman HV Rajiv, who is also a Brahmin, is seeking a ticket from BJP to contest from Krishnaraja constituency.
Although Prakash did not take Rajiv’s name, he strongly batted for a new candidate. It is said that the community is ready to support Rajiv irrespective of whichever party gives him the ticket.
Brahmins dominate
Candidates belonging to the Brahmin community have been winning the elections from here. In 1985, Vedanta Hemmige was elected on Janata Party ticket. He was followed by K N Somasundaram (1989), and S A Ramdas (1994, 1999, 2008 and 2018). In 2004, Congress’ M K Somashekhar had won in 2004 and 2013.
Interestingly, Rajiv had contested as Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) candidate in 2013 from K R Constituency and polled more than 10,000 votes, causing the defeat of Ramdas.
The constituency has 70,000 Brahmins, 39,500 dalits, 30,000 Lingayats, 22,500 Vokkaligas and 17,000 Kurubas.
Among Brahmins, Muguru Brahmins constitute 55,000 and the remaining are Babbur Kamme, Badaganadu Brahmin, Hoysala Karnataka, Smartha, Sanketi, Iyengar and Iyer. Overall Hindus constitute for 94 per cent, Muslims form 4 per cent and Christians are 0.8 per cent in the constituency.
But, among the Brahmin community, there are different voices.
MLA Ramadas and MUDA former chairman H V Rajiv belong to Muguru Brahmin community. Majority of the legislators who have won from Krishnaraja constituency belong to this dominant Muguru Brahmin community.
It is said that, Muguru Brahmin community is upset with MLA Ramadas and they want to support a new candidate.
If their chorus grows stronger, it is sure to make a dent in MLA Ramadas’ prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Congress’ ticket aspirant N M Naveen Kumar belongs to Iyer community and if given, he may pose a challenge for Ramdas.
-Team Mysoorunews
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