Speaker at centre of Karnataka political drama also TV serial actor

BENGALURU: KR Ramesh Kumar is often described by his critics as the speaker who speaks more than the members in the House. With the HDK government losing majority, the two-time speaker and hobby actor finds himself the man of the moment, with the Supreme Court closely watching his actions, and anxious MLAs and political parties looking to him to see if the rebellious legislators will be allowed to resign or be disqualified.
Faced with the court order on Thursday, Kumar held forth and held court as he is known to do, making it clear that he won’t be bulldozed by the turn of events triggered by a group of disgruntled ruling party MLAs who, as he put it, went to Mumbai and then to the Supreme Court in Delhi before coming to him. “There is no emergency, like somebody’s life is at stake. I have a constitutional duty to discharge and I’ll do it in a proper manner,” he said.
A veteran of 10 elections – six of which were successful campaigns – Kumar is a seasoned politician known for his sharp wit, intellect and tact in handling issues in his capacity as the presiding officer. Having essayed the role of a politician in several Kannada TV serials, he carries his love of dialogue and punch lines to the House and doesn’t skip a beat while berating members or making a point from the chair.
This is Kumar’s second stint as speaker. He was presiding officer between 1994 and 1999 when incumbent CM HD Kumaraswamy’s father HD Deve Gowda was the CM. However, there was no such political turbulence during his first stint; this time, the spotlight is on him for the fate of the government is in his hands.
A science graduate, Kumar started his journey as a legislator in 1978, when he won from the Srinivasapura assembly seat in Kolar district, as an independent. Since then, the 69-year-old has had a chequered electoral career, winning five times and losing four times against his arch rival GV Venkatashiva Reddy, who is also his college-mate. Most of these contests were decided by less than 1,000 votes.
But for Kumar, a Brahmin, to have gained the upper hand most of the times in a factious constituency dominated by Reddy-Vokkaligas, speaks volumes of his political acumen. He began his political career with Congress, crossed over to Janata Party and moved to Janata Dal before returning to Congress fold. He was unanimously named for speaker last year; the BJP withdrew its candidate at the last minute.
Kumar is known for his forceful oratory and his love of rhetoric has landed him in embarrassment many a time. He was forced to apologise in the House earlier this year after likening himself to a rape victim. Kumar is also given to turn mawkish at times, even breaking down in public. In December last year, he wept over the defeat of former CM Siddaramaiah in the assembly elections from Chamundeshwari in Mysuru. On another occasion in July last year, he turned emotional while inaugurating an irrigation project.
Kumar last made national headlines in 2017 as health minister in the Siddaramaiah government when he introduced a controversial bill envisaging jail terms for doctors charged with medical negligence. The bill was withdrawn following outrage from the medical fraternity which went on a strike for several days. Now, at the centre of the political crisis, Kumar is perfectly aware of his role and the impact it will have in shaping the future of the state.