When Deve Gowda got just 4 votes

Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda is campaigning in these polls unmindful of his advanced age, but not many recall that his first-ever election got him just four votes.

Mr. Gowda contested for the post of director in Holenarsipur taluk Primary Land Development Bank in 1958. He got just four votes, but that did not deter him. Two years later, in 1960, he was elected to the Taluk Board and it was his first victory in an election. These incidents are recorded in the recently published ‘Sadhaneya Shikhararohana’, a book on his career.

Being a follower of veteran freedom fighter A.G. Ramachandra Rao, Mr. Gowda wanted to contest the State Assembly polls from Holenarsipur in 1962 on Congress ticket. Despite Mr. Rao’s support, he missed ticket, forcing him to contest as an Independent candidate. His friends contributed for his election expenses and he won against the Congress.

Since then, he has represented Holenarsipur six times, and occupied the post of Chief Minister in 1994 when he was elected from Ramanagaram. Later, he served as the Prime Minister. He is currently Lok Sabha member from Hassan and considered a 24/7 politician.