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Published Sep 24, 2025 | 9:40 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2025 | 9:40 AM
Siddaramaiah's grandson Dhawan Rakesh during a public meeting.
In politics, soft launches of heirs are not a new affair. In Karnataka, where families have produced parliamentarians across three generations, dynasty politics is not even surprising.
On 20 September, Karnataka got a quiet nudge to its long-standing dynasty politics. At a Kuruba Sangha event in Gadag, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s grandson, Dhawan Rakesh, joined him on stage.
Kannada news channels quickly picked up the moment, flashing clips of the duo waving together. It was a subtle but deliberate introduction of the chief minister’s heir into the political landscape.
Bringing Rakesh to the stage seemed like a carefully orchestrated plan. It is worth noting that the event was held a couple of days before the state initiated its second socio-economic and educational survey.
Kurubas, a backwards-class community to which Siddaramaiah also belongs, have been pressing for their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The chief minister has also been personally lobbying for this status with the Union government. If achieved, it will help him further cement his political base.
While other political leaders at the event turned up in their classic neta uniform of white-on-white, Rakesh was seen in a green t-shirt and jeans. At one point, he was asked to come forward and beat the traditional drum at the event, while his grandfather stood right behind him. It marked a testament to Siddaramaiah’s commitment in 2023 when he named his son, Yathindra, and grandson, Rakesh, his successors in electoral politics. Rakesh was only 17 years old at the time.
This is not Raksh’s first time in the public spotlight. In June 2025, Rakesh was seen at the steps of Vidhan Soudha during a felicitation event for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Rakesh, along with Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan’s son Zaid, was posing for pictures with former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. However, it did not go down well with the Opposition, who alleged that the grandchildren of Congress ministers were getting “royal treatment” while eleven people died of a deadly stampede right outside the Chinnaswamy stadium.
In August 2025, Rakesh was spotted again, accompanying his grandfather and other Congress leaders to welcome Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at the HAL airport, ahead of his massive “vote chori” rally in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park.
Speaking to a television channel in 2023, Rakesh said he has a plan to pursue law before entering politics. “I like studying law and look up to Dr BR Ambedkar,” Rakesh said, while adding that he wanted to enter politics and serve people just like his grandfather.
Rakesh still has a couple of years before he becomes eligible to contest elections. However, for now, he is certainly stacking up important political appearances under his grandfather’s wing.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
