In Karnataka political drama, a TV actor is man of the moment

BENGALURU: KR Ramesh Kumar is often described by his critics as the speaker who speaks more than the members in the House. With the HD Kumaraswamy government on the brink of collapse, the Karnataka assembly speaker finds himself as the man of the moment: Supreme Court is closely watching his actions and anxious MLAs and political parties looking to him if the rebel legislators will be allowed to resign or be disqualified.
A veteran of 10 elections — six of which were successful campaigns —Kumar is a seasoned politician known for his sharp wit. 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.
A science graduate, Kumar started his journey as a legislator in 1978, when he won from Srinivasapura in Kolar district as an independent. Since then, he has had a chequered electoral career, winning five times and losing four times against his arch rival GV Venkatashiva Reddy. Most of these contests were decided by less than 1,000 votes and marked by bloody clashes between their supporters, sometimes with fatal consequences.
He began his political career with Congress, crossed over to Janata Party and moved to Janata Dal before returning to Congress. He was unanimously elected as speaker last year.
Kumar’s love for rhetoric has landed him in embarrassment many a times. He was forced to apologise in the House earlier this year after likening himself to a rape victim while referring to an audio clip on a BJP bid to “buy” a JD(S) MLA, in which his name was mentioned. 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.