Bengaluru: Another daughter-in-law of former PM and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda is likely to enter state politics amidst criticism of dynastic politics fostered by the Gowda family.
The latest entrant could be Soumya Ramesh, wife of Mr H.D. Ramesh, one of the sons of Mr Deve Gowda. She is also daughter of former transport minister and the Maddur JD(S) MLA, D C Thammanna.
Ms Soumya said she has been working in Maddur constituency on behalf of her father since 1994, and she knows well the pulse of the voters. She is ready to take the plunge into state politics and contest from Maddur since her father is reportedly not interested in contesting in the next election. "I being the daughter of Mr Thammanna and daughter-in-law of Mr Deve Gowda, have bright chances of winning from the Maddur assembly seat. However, it is left to my father-in-law to take a final decision,” she added.
According to sources, there is pressure within the family to field Ms Soumya from Maddur as Mr Ramesh hasn't shown interest in politics unlike his two brothers-H.D. Revanna and H.D. Kumaraswamy. Mr Ramesh too may not object to his wife contesting from her father's constituency which has been a strong fortress of the JD(S).
However, Mr Gowda has not shown much inclination to induct his third daughter-in-law into politics. Already, Ms Bhavani Revanna is a member of Hassan ZP and Ms Anitha Kumaraswamy, MLA from Ramanagara constituency. Ms Bhavani Revanna is learnt to have made up her mind to contest the Assembly elections whenever they are held. Sources admitted that scores of JD(S) workers and leaders are unhappy with Mr Deve Gowda's sons, daughter-in-law and grandsons for entering politics without allowing others to rise in the party. For this reason, a number of good leaders have quit the party and joined the Congress or BJP. Those who have quit the party have accused the party patriarch of promoting his family members, they said adding that the situation may get worse if another daughter-in-law makes her debut in politics.
