K.R. Ramesh Kumar, who is all set to become the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for the second time, has broken a ‘tradition’ in Srinivasapur constituency in Kolar district.
Srinivasapur seat had a tradition of electing either Mr. Kumar or G.K. Venkatashiva Reddy, irrespective of their party affiliation, alternatively in the elections since 1978.
In the 10 elections held in the last four decades from 1978 to 2018, Mr. Kumar won six times and Mr. Reddy four times. During this period, both the traditional rivals shifted party loyalty several times, from Janata Parivar to Congress and vice versa.
Mr. Kumar tasted his first electoral victory in 1978. He also won in 1985, 1994, 2004, 2013 and 2018, while Mr. Reddy of JD(S) won in 1983, 1989, 1999 and 2008.
In this year’s elections too, Mr. Kumar’s loss or Mr. Reddy’s victory would have continued that unwritten convention. However that did not happen this time around and Mr. Kumar emerged victorious, defeating Mr. Reddy.
A farmer by profession according to the affidavit filed with nomination papers, Mr. Kumar, a B.Sc. graduate, handled the coveted post of Speaker during 1994-1999. He was also the Health and Family Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah Ministry, and his work during that tenure earned him a good name.
It is noteworthy here that Mr. Kumar announced during campaigning that it would be his last electoral battle.
