Karnataka: Geetha Mahadev Prasad wins big but not big enough to get a berth

Bengaluru: Not withstanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's commitment to accommodate Mrs Geetha Mahadev Prasad in his ministry, the victorious candidate of Gundlupet seems unlikely to secure a berth in view of fear among some top leaders that she could eclipse the kin of the Kuruba strongman and PWD minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa in Mysuru and neighbouring areas.

Mr Siddaramaiah's camp followers reportedly suggested to the Chief Minister not to induct her as she might outshine his son Dr Yathindra, and Sunil Bose, Dr Mahadevappa's son in the long run, an added advantage being the fact that she belongs to numerically significant Lingayat community.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader belonging to the CM's camp disclosed that Mrs Prasad was ambitious, blessed with better oratory skills than her late husband, and therefore could strive for the number two position in Mysuru region. Besides, she could emerge a more acceptable leader when compared with Dr Yatindra or Mr Bose in view of the community factor. "Dr Yathindra did a play behind the scenes during the recent bypolls, handling campaigning through social network sites and on technical side, while Mr Bose played the second fiddle to his father Dr Mahadevappa. "Both of them played their part but they still need to grow, whereas Mrs Prasad already behaves like a seasoned politician. Given a chance, she will outmanoeuvre both of them when the clout of their fathers weakens in the region," the leader added.

Incidentally, the CM’s statement, merely to be one up on BJP president B S Yeddyurappa during electioneering, has put him in a fix. During electioneering in Gundlupet, he asked voters if they would like to see Mrs Prasad become minister. The voters responded positively to the Chief Minister's question but now his query has triggered speculation about Mrs Prasad entering the ministry.