BENGALURU: It is not the first time, children of netas are in news for wrong reasons. Political analysts say that such incidents happen due to arrogance, which often mar the image of their parents. Political opponents also grab such opportunities.
In November 2017, JD(S) MLA from Krishnarajanagara constituency Sa Ra Mahesh’s son Jayanth was seen assaulting a youth and the video had gone viral. Later Mahesh had to tender an apology. In 2016, third additional district and sessions judge in Mysuru had summoned Sunil Bose, son of PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa in connection with a Lokayukta case booked against a senior geologist for demanding bribe to issue permit to transport sand. The geologist caught by Lokayukta had named Bose. After a few days of this incident, Bose was seen partying with policemen.
When K J George was Home Minister, his son Rana George was accused of trying to help his friends who assaulted policemen on duty in 2014. BJP and JD(S) had demanded George’s resignation then. Former chief minister of Karnataka D V Sadananda Gowda, who has a clean image in public, was also not spared. Maithreyee Gowda, an actress had filed a rape complaint against Gowda’s son Karthik in 2014. Congress men had then protested across the state, demanding Gowda’s resignation.
Earlier in 2006, when H D Kumaraswamy was the chief minister, his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is an actor now, had triggered reactions from political fraternity. A complaint was registered against him for breaking the glass panes of a hotel after he and his friends were denied food at wee hour.
Political analyst Prof Muzaffar Assadi told The New Indian Express that such incidents damage the parents’ image, especially if they are public figure. “They normally carry that ‘’nothing will happen if they involve in any offence’’ attitude. The arrogance spoils them. Often, politicians neglect family life and they pay a huge price for that,’’ he said.
A Congress leader said that such incidents not just mar the image of the neta, but also the party. However Prof Assadi said this will not make a big impact in coming assembly election. “Public memory is too short. Also, people vote for neta and not their family members.’’