Another Son Seeks to Rise in State Politics

Srinivas Sirnoorkar/DHNS

Gulbarga, Aug 26: Politics in Gulbarga will not be the same again. With the Congress fielding Dr Ajay Singh, son of former chief minister and Bidar MP Dharam Singh, for the ensuing by-election to the Gulbarga Dakshin Assembly constituency on September 13, there seems to be yet another ‘son saga’ here. 
 
Singh who runs Accident Relief Care and Dharam Singh Foundation is considered the politico-legal heir of Dharam Singh from Jewargi Assembly Constituency which was represented by his father for eight consecutive times, since 1972.

Although Dharam Singh lost Jewargi in the ninth attempt, he proved his electoral mettle by winning Bidar Lok Sabha seat. Senior Singh has always enjoyed huge support of backward class communities and is trying the same factor for his son’s victory.

In fact, the candidature of junior Singh by the party seem to be a calculated risk taken by the Congress party. For, another Congressman and Union Minister for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge had also tried to launch his son Priyank Kharge from Chittapur (SC) Assembly Constituency but in vain.

But the choice of Ajay Singh is significant for more than one reason. There was no formidable contender to take on the mighty Shashil Namoshi of BJP which speaks very poor of the 125 year grand old party.

Considering this, Kharge and Singh seem to have taken the joint responsibility of vindicating their hold by winning Gulbarga Dakshin - a part of Kharge’s Gulbarga Lok Sabha (SC) constituency. The victory of junior Singh would mean continuation of Kharge in the Union Cabinet and opening new opportunities for Dharam, the party sources maintained.

However, the two will be running an enormous risk in the event of an adverse outcome. The Congress party made a dismal show in the last few elections in its bastion. The anti-incumbency factor against the two is still alive. None had imagined that Kharge would meet his Waterloo in Chittapur by-election in a proxy electoral battle necessitated by his resignation to contest parliament election from the Gulbarga constituency.

Besides, Kharge had to bite the dust in his very first attempt to launch his son. People wonder whether Dharam Singh will succeed where Kharge failed.

The fielding of junior Singh cannot be taken light by the bullish BJP for, senior Singh is capable of turning the tables even in hostile conditions. Apart from enjoying backing of SC, ST, backward, and minorities, he is known for breaking the Lingayat vote bank through his own tantrums. But whether he will be able to play same cards this time too, must be seen.

People also wonder why Ajay Singh should be made to run the electoral risk when he could have been the natural choice of Congress in the next elections in 2013.  Namoshi on the other hand has nothing to lose. With the entire Yeddyurappa government at his beck and call, the resourceful Namoshi is perceived to be the best bet for Ajay Singh.

Needless to say, Gulbarga by-election is all poised for one more prestigious and path breaking elections in the recent times.