lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Mar 14, 2019 07:12 IST

Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) national president HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday broke down at a rally in Hassan district taking exception to the accusations against him of only promoting his family.

Deve Gowda’s two grandchildren Nikhil Kumar, son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, and Prajwal Revanna, son of public works minister HD Revanna, will contest in the upcoming general elections. While Gowda vacated his Hassan seat for Prajwal, Nikhil will contest from neighbouring Mandya.

Both seats are strongholds of the party, located in the heart of the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region. However, opposition to the Gowda family’s entry has come from all sides, including from within.

On Wednesday, Gowda said he had promoted many leaders and yet he was being criticised for promoting Nikhil and Prajwal. “It should be decided. It should be decided [breaks down]… So many accusations… The media keeps saying Deve Gowda, Revanna, Kumaraswamy and his grandchildren… [breaks down again].”

“With all your permissions and with the blessings of our MLAs and yours I have [left Hassan] for Prajwal… [Prajwal breaks down],” Deve Gowda said seeking support from the people of the district. Son Revanna, who was also present at the venue, too, also broke down during the rally.

Later, addressing a press conference in Holenarsipur, Deve Gowda said he was deeply hurt by the campaign against Nikhil Kumar in Mandya. Nikhil is set to go up against Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of the late film star MH Ambareesh, who was a three-time MP from the seat and was also a former union minister.

Though Sumalatha has been told by senior Congress leaders, including former chief minister Siddaramaiah, that the Congress will not stake a claim over the seat, she announced on Tuesday that she would contest. And she has gained significant support from local Congress workers.

“In Mandya they have created a big controversy. Nikhil has the support of eight MLAs, 3 MLCs and panchayat heads and heads of various organisations. It was their unanimous decision that Nikhil should stand. They decided it and I did not make any announcement,” Deve Gowda said.

“In media there is speculation that if [Congress] leaves Tumakuru [from where the Congress won in 2014] then we have to give up Mandya. It has hurt me so much. They say ‘Nikhil go back’. I will go to Mandya and then let them ask me to go back. In my 60 years of politics who have I fought for? I will put all of this before the people. For me Hassan and Mandya are not different,” Deve Gowda said.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to criticise Deve Gowda. “If crying was an art Deve Gowda and his family would hold the record for mastering the ‘Art Of Crying’ to constantly fool people for decades. Matter of the fact is before elections Deve Gowda and his family cries. After elections people who vote this family cries,” the party said in a tweet.