Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] supremo HD Deve Gowda is yet to make up his mind whether he wants to contest from the Tumukuru or the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency.
Gowda on Wednesday held hectic parleys to assess the mood and support that he would get if he were to contest from Tumukuru. On Thursday, he visited Congress minister Krishna Byre Gowda to assess the possibility of contesting from the Bengaluru North constituency.
Tumukuru, which has a mix of Vokkaliga, backward class and Dalit communities, was held by Congress’ SP Muddahanumegowda, but as per the seat-sharing pact, the Congress has given the seat to the JD(S). Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has been quoted as saying: “If Deve Gowda is contesting the Tumukuru seat, it is fine. But if he is not, then please give back the seat to the Congress.”
Bengaluru North is a Vokkaliga stronghold, currently held by Bharatiya Janata Party’s DV Sadananda Gowda.
Confusion in the party
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s said in a statement: “Deve Gowda is in a dilemma. If he decides to contest, he will file his nomination from Bengaluru North or from the Tumkuru constituency.” This has created huge confusion among JD(S) workers and Congress cadre.
Deve Gowda has already given away the Hassan seat to his grandson Prajwal Revanna (PWD Minister HD Revanna’s son) and the Mandya seat to his other grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy (son of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy).