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In a hard-hitting exclusive interview, G.B. Vinay Kumar, prominent leader of the Swabhimani Balaga (Self-Respect Forum) and a vocal OBC activist from the Kuruba community, has strongly asserted that Davanagere will not experience true political freedom until the Shamnur family’s decades-long stranglehold is broken.

Speaking to Varta Bharati, Vinay Kumar, who publicly extended support to the BJP candidate in the upcoming Davanagere South by-election, did not mince words while describing the Shamnur family’s political empire as an “alternative system” that has entrenched itself deeply in the constituency over the past four decades.

“Unless this constituency is liberated from the Shamnur family, the people of Davanagere will never know real freedom,” he declared.

Deep-Rooted Control And ‘Use-And-Throw’ Politics

Vinay Kumar alleged that the Shamnur family exercises absolute control over resources, business networks, and political capital, from the grassroots panchayat level to Delhi.

He claimed their dominance is not based on popular support but on money, power, muscle, and a carefully cultivated ecosystem of obligation and loyalty.

“They have bought mathas (monasteries), institutions, and community leaders. They operate on a ‘use-and-throw’ policy, especially with Muslims and backward communities,” he said, drawing a parallel with the Congress party’s alleged treatment of AHINDA (Alpasankhyataru, Hindulidavaru, Dalitaru) groups.

Recalling his own political journey, Vinay Kumar revealed that he had sought a Congress ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha election but was denied at the last minute.

Undeterred, he contested as an Independent candidate and secured more than 43,000 votes after undertaking a 650-km padayatra across the constituency, a rare demonstration of grassroots connect in recent Karnataka politics.

“I realised that the Congress treats workers and communities like tissue paper, uses them and discards them,” he stated.

Why He Supported BJP: ‘Lesser Evil’ To Defeat Dynasty Politics

Explaining his decision to support the BJP’s ST candidate Srinivas Dasakariyappa, Vinay Kumar described it as a strategic move aimed at ending family-dominated politics rather than any deep ideological alignment.

He acknowledged that the BJP was traditionally seen as a party of forward communities.

Still, he noted a recent shift, citing the party’s decision to field an ST candidate in a winnable seat.

“In real politics, we sometimes have to choose the lesser evil to defeat a bigger threat,” he observed.

Vinay Kumar argued that the Shamnur family’s grip can only be broken through a strong electoral challenge.

He dismissed the idea that the family enjoys genuine popularity, instead attributing its success to financial muscle and sophisticated tactics of co-option and intimidation.

“Popular support is missing. What exists is a system built on coercion and purchased loyalty,” he said.

Vote Arithmetic And Ground Assessment

Providing a detailed vote analysis, Vinay Kumar noted that the BJP’s traditional vote base stands at around 55,000.

With ST votes expected to shift significantly toward the party and a likely split in Muslim votes due to the entry of Independent candidate Sadik Pailwan (a former Congress leader), he believes the BJP holds a clear advantage.

He also expects between 5,000 and 10,000 of his own supporters, mainly educated OBC youth and loyal admirers, to transfer their votes to the BJP candidate.

Future Plans

Despite supporting the BJP in this by-election, Vinay Kumar made it clear that he has not joined the party.

He intends to continue his independent political movement under the Swabhimani Balaga banner and carry out statewide outreach programmes.

He firmly rejected allegations that he received funds from either the Shamnur family or BJP leaders during his 2024 Independent campaign, stating emphatically:

“To date, I have not taken even a single rupee from anyone. My own resources and principles fund my politics.”

A Bold Challenge To The Status Quo

Vinay Kumar’s outspoken interview has once again highlighted the long-standing grievance of many backward-class youth in Davanagere, the near-monopoly of a single family over local politics.

His pragmatic decision to back the BJP candidate, despite his earlier criticism of the party, reflects an emerging trend of anti-dynasty politics among young OBC leaders in Karnataka.

Whether this strategic support will deliver a decisive blow to the Shamnur family’s dominance will be tested in the by-election.

For now, Vinay Kumar has firmly positioned himself as a strong and relentless voice demanding genuine political liberation for the people of Davanagere.

Watch the full interview on the Varta Bharati YouTube channel.