CM's constituency gets new caretaker

 The political career of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all set to get a new dimension with the entry of his younger son Dr Yatindra, following the demise of the CM’s elder son Rakesh in Brussels, Belgium, on July 30.

It has to be mentioned that Dr Yatindra had stayed away from limelight and was completely into his medical profession till recently.

Rakesh was the CM’s man in his Varuna Assembly constituency and also in the affairs of the district administration and beyond the district. He coordinated with the voters and partymen in Varuna constituency and was also nurturing the neighbouring Chamundeshwari constituency, which was originally the CM’s constituency earlier. According to sources close to the family, Rakesh aspired to contest from one of these constituencies in the next Assembly election.

However, Dr Yatindra is seen in a different mould, compared with Rakesh. He is educated, a professional and soft-spoken. While Rakesh played a major role in the politics and development of Varuna and Chamundeshwari constituencies, Dr Yatindra is touted to play a larger role, despite his denial about entry into politics.

A political veteran, who was once a close associate of the CM, on condition of anonymity, said, even though hereditary politics is decried by all, it becomes inevitable in politics, where a person earns a lot of ill-gotten wealth and also holds enormous political clout, once in power. “Political power is essential to safeguard the ill-gotten wealth and also power is like intoxication, which is not easy to give up,” he said.

BJP city (district) president Dr B H Manjunath said, he does not know much about
Dr Yatindra, but, he is of the opinion that intellectuals,
who are nationalists, are a welcome in politics.

JD(S) city (district) president Rajanna said, it is the responsibility of a son to stand by his father at the hour of crisis. “His entry is a welcome move, to take forward the legacy of Siddaramaiah,” he added.

On Wednesday, Dr Yatindra, a health professional, took some time out of his busy schedule to meet the people, well-wishers and party workers from Varuna constituency at his TK Layout house in the city. Speaking to reporters, the younger son of Siddaramaiah  said that he would act as a bridge between the people of Varuna constituency, and his father following the untimely demise of his elderbrother Rakesh.

To a query on whether he would take a plunge into active politics, Dr Yatindra played it safe saying that he would only help people solve their grievances, on the directions of his father.