K Poornima Srinivas, a former BJP MLA from Hiriyur, Karnataka, has made a significant political move by announcing her decision to join the Congress ahead of the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections. Her decision is expected to have a substantial impact on the political landscape in Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Davanagere districts.
Poornima Srinivas comes from a politically influential family in Karnataka. Her late father, A Krishnappa, was a former minister who spent over three decades in the Congress before joining the Janata Dal (Secular) in 2013. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2014, shortly after being appointed as the state president of the JD(S). Poornima herself has a history as a former MLA from Hiriyur, representing the Backward Classes, specifically the Golla community. This community holds considerable sway in several districts, including Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Davanagere, Kolar, and Chikkaballapur.
Source: The South First
The Congress party believes that Poornima’s decision to join their ranks will bolster their prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the aforementioned districts. Her political lineage and the respect her late father commanded among the Backward Classes have the potential to create a significant shift in the region’s political dynamics.
Poornima Srinivas’s departure from the BJP and subsequent embrace of the Congress is a notable setback for the BJP in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Poornima cited the Congress party’s promise of an MLC election ticket for her husband, DT Srinivas, as the primary reason for her switch. She explained, “I was content in the BJP, but as the party assured the ticket for MLC elections to my spouse, I have decided to switch. As everyone knows, the BJP is against dynasty politics and won’t give tickets to two members of the same family.”
Source: Kannada Oneindia
Poornima also pointed out the perceived inconsistency in the BJP’s application of this rule, stating that some individuals within the party had received tickets for their family members. She emphasized her husband’s unwavering support during her election campaigns as a driving factor in her decision to join the Congress.
For the Congress party, Poornima’s addition to their ranks is a strategic move aimed at enhancing their electoral prospects in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Her standing within the influential Golla community is expected to resonate with the local population, who still hold her father in high regard as a leader of the Backward Classes. This community’s presence in Chitradurga, Davanagere, and Tumakuru is estimated to be substantial, numbering between 2-3 lakh individuals.
Source: News 18 Kannada
KPCC Working President and former Chitradurga MP, BN Chandrappa, acknowledged the significance of Poornima’s decision. He highlighted her political lineage and popularity among the Backward Classes, stating, “She won the 2018 Assembly elections from the Hiriyur Assembly seat because of her father’s clout and popularity. She has her own vote bank, which will play a pivotal role in the Lok Sabha elections.”
Chandrappa also confirmed that the party leadership had engaged with local leaders in Chitradurga regarding Poornima’s entry into the party. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar played key roles in facilitating this move. The party has additionally promised an MLC election ticket to Poornima’s spouse, Srinivas, further solidifying her commitment to the Congress.
