Bill that kills?

Women's Reservation Bill could harm many political heavyweights in the state

Women's Reservation Bill could harm many political heavyweights in the state

Loser? Former CM Kumaraswamy may not be able to contest from his constituency if the Women's Reservation Bill is passed. File pic

Chief minister Yeddyurappa, former CM Kumaraswamy and his brother H D Revanna as well as mining magnates Reddys and Jarkiholis, who enjoy political monopoly in their respective districts- Bellary and Belgaum could stand to lose if the Women's Reservation Bill is passed.

Bill details

In Karnataka, where theu00a0 Assembly comprises 224 members, 74 seats will be reserved for women if the bill is passed. Also, constituencies where women comprise over 49.5 per cent of the population, are to be reserved for women.

In Kumaraswamy's Ramangaram, 49.1 per cent of the voters are women. Revanna's constituency Holenaasipura in Hassan, has a women voter population of 49.33 per cent.

Giant killer?

Yeddyurappa's constituency Shikaripura in Shimoga has 49.26 per cent of women voters. Worryingly, for BJP state president KS Eswarappa, Shimoga, hisu00a0 constituency, has 49.7 per cent women voters. "I have always supported women's empowerment. I am not elated that my constituency will not be reserved for women if the bill is passed," said Eswarappa.

Satish Jarkiholi, a sugar baron, represents Yamakanmaadi, in Belgaum as a Congress MLA. Over 50 per cent of his constituency comprises of women voters. Satish's brothers u2014 Ramesh Jarkiholi and Balachandra Jarkiholi represent Gokak and Arabavi. Both constituencies have women voters over 49.5 percent.

Reddys could lose

The Bellary Reddys are the other political family whose political fortunes may suffer a setback if the bill is passed. MLAu00a0 Janardana Reddy and his confidants Sriramulu, Suesh Babu, his brother and KMF chairman Somashaekar Reddy all stand to lose as women voters outnumber men in their constituencies. The only exception is Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy.