While Kumaraswamy hails from Hassan district and largely operates from neighbouring Ramanagara, Gowda is from Nagamangala taluk.
HD Kumaraswamy. (X)
Vokkaliga-dominated, largely agrarian Mandya constituency sees a face-off between JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Congress’ Venkataramane Gowda, popularly known as “Star Chandru”, a contractor. While Kumaraswamy hails from Hassan district and largely operates from neighbouring Ramanagara, Gowda is from Nagamangala taluk. Once considered a JD(S) bastion, the regional party now has just one MLA in the district.