Bengaluru, October 12, 2025 – At just 19 years old, Dhawan Rakesh, grandson of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is turning heads in political circles with a flurry of social media posts that insiders say signal his imminent foray into state politics. The young scion of the Siddaramaiah family, who recently shared images of himself alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has ignited speculation about carrying forward a prominent family legacy in the Congress stronghold of Mysuru region.
Dhawan, the son of the late Rakesh Siddaramaiah—CM Siddaramaiah's eldest son who was being groomed for a political role before his untimely death in 2016—has been increasingly visible at public events and on digital platforms. In a post that went viral last week, Dhawan uploaded photographs from a private meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, captioning it with a nod to "learning from the best" and hashtags like #CongressRising and #KarnatakaPride. The images, showing the duo in animated conversation, quickly amassed over 50,000 likes and shares, drawing comments from party workers hailing him as the "next generation leader."
This isn't Dhawan's first brush with the political spotlight. In September, he joined his grandfather on stage at a Kuruba community event in Gadag, where the CM inaugurated the state-level Kanakotsava festival. Videos from the event, shared by Dhawan on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), captured him addressing the crowd in fluent Kannada, emphasizing youth empowerment and social justice—themes central to his grandfather's long career. Party sources suggest these appearances are no coincidence, with Dhawan reportedly shadowing senior leaders and attending strategy sessions ahead of potential local body polls.
"Dhawan's energy and connect with the youth are exactly what the party needs," said a senior Congress functionary from Mysuru, speaking anonymously. "He's not just riding on the family name; he's building his own narrative through social media, much like how Yathindra [Siddaramaiah's other son] did before entering the fray." Yathindra, now a key advisor to the CM and a former MLA from Varuna, has been vocal in mentoring his nephew, fueling talks that Dhawan could contest from the same constituency his late father was tipped to represent.
The buzz has also attracted criticism from opposition quarters. BJP leaders have labeled it "dynastic entitlement," pointing to Dhawan's privileged access, including a controversial June appearance with RCB cricketers during a tragic stadium stampede that claimed 11 lives. "While families suffer, the CM's kin gets VIP treatment," tweeted BJP youth wing spokesperson, echoing sentiments from earlier X posts mocking Dhawan's public speaking skills.
Yet, supporters dismiss the jabs as envy-driven. Dhawan's recent engagements, including a felicitation by Rahul Gandhi during his August visit to Bengaluru, underscore his rising profile within the party. A Deccan Herald report from earlier this month quoted party insiders confirming Dhawan's "eyes on a political career," with plans for a formal debut possibly in the 2026 local elections.
For the Siddaramaiah family, which has deep roots in Karnataka's socialist politics—spanning the CM's five-decade journey from student activism to the chief minister's chair—Dhawan represents continuity amid generational shifts. As one analyst noted in The South First, his "gentle entry" under the grandfather's wing could bolster Congress's hold on backward class votes in the Old Mysore region. Whether this social media savvy translates to electoral success remains to be seen, but for now, Dhawan Rakesh is scripting what could be the next chapter in a storied political saga.
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