Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Oct 4: It is learnt through sources that Anitha Kumaraswamy, wife of H D Kumaraswamy, chief minister (CM) of Karnataka is the likely candidate of the JD (S) party for the Ramanagara bypolls, which is expected to be announced by the election commission soon.

This bypoll is being held as H D Kumaraswamy, who contested from Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies, resigned for the position of MLA of Ramanagara.

The plan of the CM of retaining the Channapatna seat is thought to be far-sighted one as earlier this constituency was held by his foe C P Yogeeshwara, who is now in the BJP.

JD (S) will win with thumping majority

Ramanagara is the stronghold of JD (S) since a long time. Kumaraswamy has got elected from here repeatedly. He is so popular in this constituency, that there is no need for him to campaign at all.

Promise kept by husband

Anitha, the wife of CM, was hell-bent on contesting the last assembly elections from Channapatna. However, she was not given the go-ahead by both Kumaraswamy as well the supremo of the party H D Deve Gowda. The reason for holding back Anitha from contesting the last assembly elections was that, long before the elections, Kumaraswamy had said that only two members from his family would be contesting the assembly elections.

Kumaraswamy had to keep his word to the party workers and other leaders of JD (S) as already there were rumours making the round that the party is turning into one where the power is held by one family promoting dynasty politics.

Kumaraswamy resisted the huge pressure from JD (S) activists and leaders to field Anitha from Channapatna and he himself contested from the seat. It is learnt that Anitha was consoled and promised during the last assembly elections that she will be made the JD (S) candidate from Ramanagara in the bypoll. Though the name of Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil also had popped up as one of the probable candidates, now it seems that Anitha will be given the final nod.

Of late it is seen that both Anitha and the CM are making rounds of the constituency with the intention of keeping the voters in good spirits. Kumaraswamy also held a party workers' meet at Ramanagara on Wednesday, October 3.

Not new to politics

Anitha has made her debut in politics way back in 2008 by becoming an MLA from Madhugiri in Tumkur district in a bypoll contest. However, in the two elections that followed this win, she was not favoured by the voters. In the 2013 assembly elections Anitha had lost to Yogeeshwara from Channapatna. She was again defeated in 2014 Lok Sabha polls by D K Suresh, brother of D K Shivakumar while contesting from the Bengaluru constituency.

Congress and JD (S) to join hands in bypoll contest

It is almost confirmed that Congress will not field its candidate in Ramanagara and thereby support the JD (S) candidate. JD (S) will return Congress's favour by not fielding any candidate in the Jamakhandi constituency of Bagalkot and support the Congress candidate instead. The bypoll is being held in Jamakhandi as the sitting MLA Siddu B Nayamagouda of Congress was killed in a tragic car accident.

Anand Nyamagouda, son of the deceased Siddu Nyamagouda, popularly known as 'Barrage Siddu' is the most likely candidate to be fielded by the Congress party. Late Siddu Nyamagouda is very well known and loved by the farmers of this region as he played a prominent role in the construction of the Chikkapadasalagi barrage in Jamakhandi, nearly three decades ago, without the support of government.