'Not that he is my son but...': In Karnataka, election time is family time

Bangalore: This election, there is no shortage of offspring in Karnataka who are trying to follow the family tradition of politics. In Karnataka, sons of state and central ministers - and the son of a governor - all want to jump into the race.

There have been a lot of questions raised both within and outside the Congress about the process of primaries to select candidates. Harsha Moily, the son of senior Congressman, M Veerappa Moily, tripped at the first hurdle when his attempt to contest the primary was rejected.

Harsha told NDTV, "What I was told is that I do not match the criteria required to be a candidate. Specifically under category 3 which says 'a person of standing in public service and public cause.' I felt that was a bit unfair. We have a family health trust where we run a school for children from low-income families. As far as I know, that is public service and a social cause."

Another son whose hopes are still alive is Nivedith Alva, whose mother, Margaret Alva, is the Governor of Rajasthan. Nivedith owns a large television company and is hoping to be chosen by his mother's party, the Congress, for the Uttara Kannada ticket - where, perhaps in a bit of a relief - there are no primaries.

We asked him how he responded to comments and criticism of dynastic politics.
Nivedith said, "I am not saying who I am should go for me. But I don't see why it should go against me," he responded.

Nivedith is up against the son of yet another senior Congressman, RV Deshpande - a minister in the Karnataka cabinet - who speaks of his son with great paternal pride. Mr Deshpande told NDTV, "Prashant is a very highly educated person. He is a post-graduate of Harvard Law School... (has a) gold medal from the National Law School and he has been moving with the party cadre and organization and the people for the last seven years."

He added, "Margaret's son, Nivedith, is a very good boy - and I have all respect for Margaretji. And it is right that she tries for her son. What wrong is there? A mother should try for her son. We are not competitors. What party high command decides we will abide."