Cinema, politics blend in Shimoga showdown

SHIVAMOGGA : Beneath the relentless blaze of a scorching sun, a cavalcade of Kannada cinema stars and senior Congress functionaries descends on Esuru village, each arriving in opulent ‘wheels’ which range from high-end BMWs to Mercedes-Benz.
Then, a navy-blue Toyota Vellfire glides to a halt, drawing an especially frenzied surge from the crowd. Kannada cinema icon Shivarajkumar and his wife and Shimoga Lok Sabha seat candidate Geetha Shivarajkumar alight.
Their arrival sends the assembled multitude into a frenzy. Hands stretch out in hope of a grasp, and smartphones are deftly lined up in a desperate bid to capture a selfie for posterity — and bragging rights.
Esuru village is steeped in history. It was the first bastion of defiance against colonial oppression. In 1942, the village even declared ‘independence’, refusing to bow to British taxation, resulting in a tragic and bloody confrontation. Lives were lost and sacrifices made, yet the spirit of resistance endured. A poignant memorial stands as a testament to the valour and sacrifice of those freedom fighters.
Just a stone’s throw away from the memorial, a vibrant shamiana and a creaking audio system beckon, drawing young, old, and women in big numbers. They jostle to catch a glimpse of not just Shivarajkumar but also Duniya Vijay, Chikkanna and Anushree.
Poise & composure | Draped in a brown salwar, Geetha, daughter of former chief minister S Bangarappa, exudes poise as she waves to the adoring crowd, her presence com manding attention and reverence. Shivarajkumar, affectionately known as Shivanna, clad in a similar colour t-shirt, follows her, lending unwavering support.
As she ascends the stage, a palpable sense of anticipation fills the air. In her speech, she invokes her father’s name repeatedly, drawing huge applause. Bangarappa, a former CM, represented Shimoga Lok Sabha seat four times from different parties, as did her brother Madhu Bangarappa, a minister in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet. They also cheer when she talks about the five guarantees which the Congress govt has successfully implemented.
It was her fourth speech of the afternoon across seven vil lages in Shikaripura, BJP’s bastion and the pocket borough of party veteran BS Yediyurappa for over two decades. It is now represented in the assembly by his son and party state president BY Vijayendra.
Focus on work | Despite the challenging conditions, Geetha, frequently wiping sweat from her face, has been garnering strong support in the constituency, leaving her overwhelmed. When asked if she felt nervous about facing BY Raghavendra, Yediyurappa’s elder son, she insisted that she was not, emphasising that her focus is on work rather than her opponent.
Geetha’s spirited campaign trail marks the beginning of efforts to ignite the flames of change in the constituency, with Shivarajkumar standing behind her like a rock, symbolising his support as they continue campaigning until nightfall.