Known as a party loyalist, Goutham Kumar is a two-time BJP corporator from ward number 89, Jogupalya in the Shantinagar assembly constituency. Goutham, who belongs to the Jain community, was born and raised in Bengaluru, although his family is from Siruguppa in Ballari district. Gowtham Kumar was a popular choice in the BJP as he is known to be a Yediyurappa-loyalikst, who also maintains a close relationship with leaders from other factions in the Karnataka BJP.
The BJP’s former Leader of Opposition in the BBMP Council – Padmanabha Reddy was considered to be the party’s first choice for its mayoral candidate. Padmanabha Reddy himself was an aspirant. However, in a meeting held late night on Monday, the BJP decided to field Gowtham Kumar. His nomination as the candidate for mayor is seen as the BJP choosing to elevate party loyalists as opposed to giving ‘outsiders’ a chance.
Formerly with the JD(S), Padmanabha Reddy had defected to the BJP several years ago. While Karnataka Chief Minister wanted his loyalist – Padmanabha Reddy as the mayor, the BJP state President Nalin Kumar Kateel wanted Jakkur corporator Muneendra Kumar as the mayor, sources say.
“The party picked Goutham because even the high command did not want to give defectors the chance. And to strike a balance between the Yediyurappa and Nalin Kumar Kateel factions, Goutham was chosen as he has a good relationship with most leaders,” the source said.
Currently, the BBMP council is controlled by a JD(S)-Congress coalition, even though the BJP has 101 corporators out of the 198-member council. Alongside corporators, all MLAs, MLCs and MPs residing in Bengaluru also have a vote in the mayoral elections taking the voter tally to 257. However, the numbers went in BJP's favour as five MLAs from Bengaluru had resigned and a few independent corporators voted for the BJP.
