The urban local body polls are proving to be the grooming grounds for family members of senior party leaders in Belagavi district.
Some leaders are also said to be trying to get their kin elected unanimously by convincing the contesting candidates of the need to withdraw from the field.
Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi is said to be backing his nieces Jayalakshmi Tayannanavar and Vanashree Tayannanavar from two wards in his home turf of Gokak.
Both have filed nomination papers as Independent candidates. Some local leaders in Gokak have been complaining that the Minister could speak to the other candidates in the fray seeking their withdrawal from contest.
Similarly, BJP MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath’s brother Jagadish Kavatagimath is seeking re-election from Chikkodi. The MLC’s wife Veena Kavatagimath and cousin Sanjay Kavatagimath are fighting as Independents from Chikkodi.
Prabhkar E.K., who is contesting from Chikkodi City Municipal Council seat, is seeking his sixth re-election to the local body. He is related to MP and former Minister Prakash Hukkeri.
MLA Duryodhan Aihole’s relative Mahesh Karmadi is fighting from Raibag. Rajshekar Moogi, who is a candidate from Bailhongal, is the relative of the former MLA Vishwanath Patil. Guru Metgud, who is related to the former MLA Jagadish Metgud, is contesting from Bailhongal.
Gajaraj Devur, Janata Dal(S) candidate from Ramdurg, has an interesting electoral history. He fought unsuccessfully in the Assembly elections in May this year.
“Unanimous elections are not signs of a vibrant democracy. In most cases, candidates withdraw their nomination papers under duress,” said Ashok Pujari, North Karnataka Vikas Vedike convenor. He said that some senior leaders were trying to organise unanimous elections in the district, to facilitate election-less victories for their relatives.