SHIVAMOGGA: Family issues strained relationships to such an extent that it took the form of political vengeance in the Bangarappa household. Kumar and Madhu, the sons of former chief minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa, don’t utter even a single civil word for each other. While the older one Kumar is an actor-turned-politician, his brother Madhu is a businessman-turned-politician.
A senior Congressman said, “The problems simmering in Bangarappa’s family came out in the open when Kumar Bangarappa became a minister in S M Krishna’s cabinet. Madhu had incurred a huge loss in business around the time. The family asked Kumar to support Madhu, but he refused.”
The rift widened ahead of the 2004 elections when Bangarappa fielded Madhu from Sorab on a BJP ticket.
Kumar, who was a minister, resigned from Congress to join BJP on the directions of Bangarappa, but returned to Congress on the same day when his brother Madhu was asked to contest the election from Sorab. This brought the differences in the family out in the open.
The father also made an attempt to stop Kumar from joining Dharam Singh’s cabinet in 2004 after Kumar won from Sorab. After Bangarappa’s death in 2011, Madhu’s animosity towards his brother continued. Madhu also prevented Kumar from participating in the final rites when their parents passed away. Many tried to unite the warring brothers, but in vain. Madhu is now with JD(S) while Kumar is with BJP.