The Asia’s biggest cocoon market at Ramanagara is the epicentre of Vokkaliga(Gowda) politics in Karnataka.

This market which produces high quality cocoon with buzzling  activity is witnessing lot of  churning over the ensuing Assembly polls in Karnataka.

The town which is also called Ramghad after the famous film Sholay was shot surrounds rocky terrain is now fully active in the politics which might decide the next Chief Minister of the State.

This agrarian place links past and the present to elect a person who answers all their agrarian crisis. The entire area depends on sericulture and had witnessed many farmers suicides in the recent past which has pushed them to helplessness.

The anger against the present Government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is very much visible and openly the farmers say they support HD Kumaraswamy of the JDs who is contesting from this place. Kumaraswamy is also contesting from neighboring constituency Chennapatna and finds a smooth sail in both the places.

Kumaraswamy  said “ I am going to win in both the constituencies and we will form the government on our own. Both the national parties Congress and BJP are corrupt and they have failed the aspirations of the people of Karnataka,”.

The Cocoon market with a transactions of  over  700 crores per annum  with hundreds of silk growing farmers and reelers apart from their cocoon business are also witnessing a hectic political activities around them. One can witness polarisation of castes and Vokkaligas in large number have in reality this time supporting Kumaraswamy who is betting big on this place to cherish his ambition to become Chief Minister again.

Kumaraswamy is emotionally appealing  to them to elect him to address their problems which include bringing stability to cocoon market. He hopes a metamorphosis and thinks Ramanagara will make him the next Chief Minister of the State. The cocoon farmers and traders most of them are vokkaligas and Muslims respectively at the market say that they need to elect a person who understand their plight.

Chandranna a farmer is very vocal and said “ we have been facing lot of crisis over falling prices of cocoon and no one so far has addressed over plight. We feel Kumaraswamy will help us and certainly we will elect him this time.”

Congress has fielded Iqbal Hussain, a local candidate to split the Muslim votes. The BJP has nominated H leelavthi.  The political analysts feel that the Vokkaliga concentration at this constituency  is to the advantage of Kumaraswamy who is fighting a real battle to come to relevance. Kumaraswamy a vokkaliga and has been getting elected from this place .

Ramanagara has a historical relevance where 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan brought silk to this place. This place was earlier known as Shamserabad( during Tipu’s time ), then British called the town as Closepet and post independent it became Ramanagara based on mythology Ramayana. The Cocoon farmers and Silk traders are the deciding factors in this election too. 

Another reeler A. Pasha who is the reeler association president at Ramanagara  cocoon market says need a leader who helps farmers and traders who are suffering. He says there is a wave towards JDS and Kumaraswamy.

May 12th election is crucial for both the Congress and the BJP. However many survey predict JDs led by HD Kumaraswamy will decide the political course of the state. Taking no chances Kumaraswamy has contested in two constituencies and giving tough fight to Congress and BJP in many constituencies.