Businessman Venkataramegowda (Star Chandru): The Congress Candidate From Mandya Seat (Photo on X Venkataramane Gowda (Star Chandru) @starchandru)

Popularly known as Star Chandru, Mr Venkataramegowda is a businessman in Bangluru. Originally hails from Kannagatta village of Nagamangala, he has completed his B.Sc from his hometown. He began a construction company named Star Infotech in Banglore and famed with the growth of the Infotech. Though he was not active in politics, it is reported that he had close associations with key political figures in the state. It was the party leader N. Chaluvarayaswamy who introduced the Star Chandru to the party”s high command, taking him into active politics.

The candidature of Mr Venkataramanegowda has also brought dissent in the party as the KPCC general secretary H.N. Ravindra, who was one of the aspirants from the constituency, denied the ticket. After the party announced the nomination of Star Chandru, he resigned from the post to express his displeasure, and alleged that those who have money are getting priority in the ticket distribution.

Notably, during the 2019 general elections, the Congress had not fielded candidates from the seat and supported the independent Nikhil Kumaraswamy who won the constituency defeating the JD(S), an ally of BJP, candidate. In 2014, The Congress lost narrowly to the JD(S) candidate C. S. Puttaraju.

However, the NDA has fielded former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy from the Mandya constituency as a JD(S) candidate against Congress Venkataramegowda. The seat will see one of the fierce competition in the upcoming general elections.