Hands that rock the thrones |
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By: Chetan R |
Date:
2009-03-26 |
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Bangalore: Meet the men who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make kings of their political masters
Behind every successful politician lies another who's willing to run and fetch, move and shake. MiD DAY takes a look at some of these men who've made kings and courtiers of their masters.
Siddaramaiah and B S Shivanna
Senior Congress leader and former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah has never been known to make a political move without consulting B S Shivanna.
Shivanna (48), a civil engineer and owner of a pharmaceutical outlet, was influenced by Siddaramaiah in the 1980s as a student. Though both have been associated for two decades, it was in the 1990s that they became close and Shivanna now belongs to his inner circle.
As chairman of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia thinkers' forum, Shivanna is behind Siddaramaiah's political strength which comes from AHINDA, a federation of backward classes, minorities and Dalits. Shivanna looks after Siddaramaiah's political moves and meets, including the one with Chiranjeevi, and helps formulate policies. He had a say in all the seven budgets the ex-minister has presented. "I help him with inputs related to political developments," said Shivanna. "I'm his voice and he's an eminent leader."
S Bangarappa and Tukappa
Tukappa, a graduate and agriculturist from Sorab, is the force behind former chief minister and MP S Bangarappa.
Influenced by Bangarappa during his student days, Tukappa has been with him for the last 20 years ever since the latter became the chief minister.
He looks after Bangarappa's public affairs and is with him round-the-clock.
He also plays a key role in Bangarappa's private life as his caretaker.
H T Sangliana and Ashwin Kumar
Former cop and MP H T Sangliana owes much of his success to city-based businessman Ashwin Kumar.
Kumar, who was KPCC president D K Shivakumar's PUC classmate, has been in the field for 20 years and worked with leaders like the late Rajiv Gandhi, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Arjun Singh and Shivakumar.
Ashwin, who prefers to be a kingmaker rather than a king, got Sangliana into politics and played a key role in his victory. He's also responsible for Sangliana joining the Congress.
And how does he help Sangliana make decisions? "We calculate trends, caste equations and public responses based on which we advice him," said Kumar. "This has helped in the past."
H D Deve Gowda and Y S V Dutta
Y S V Datta, also known as former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's think tank, once taught mathematics and science at his tutorials in Rajajinagar.
He's one of the few people Gowda the master manipulator listens to from decisions on patching up parties for a coalition to breaking up.
Datta is known for his versatility in party affairs and has been associated with Gowda for nearly three decades.
As the JD(S) spokesperson, he's the party's voice when it comes to policy matters and is said to be the one who drafts the party manifesto.
Though Dutta was given a party ticket in the recent polls, he lost. But he was made an MLC, with Gowda's blessings.
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