With his grandson Prajwal Gowda’s name almost finalised as the Janata Dal (Secular) candidate from Hassan, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda is believed to be seriously contemplating a proposal to enter the poll fray from Mysuru Lok Sabha seat.
Though the JD(S) has strong support base in Vokkaliga-dominated Mysuru constituency, which is among the seats sought by the party in the seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress, the absence of a strong candidate was a source of concern for party cadres till the leadership indicated the party supremo’s name.
Dropping broad hints
“Though it has not been announced formally, sufficient hints have been given that Mr. Gowda will be contesting,” said a JD(S) leader on condition of anonymity. However, the hitch could be that the Congress too is keen on staking claim over Mysuru.
Speculation over Mr. Gowda’s candidature, coincidentally, began gaining ground after the party mobilised a large gathering of supporters at Maharaja’s College ground in Mysuru for a felicitation function in honour of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
This is not the first time Mr. Gowda’s name is being heard as a candidate for Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency, which is presently represented by BJP’s Pratap Simha, who also belongs to the Vokkaliga community.
About five months ago, Mr. Gowda arrived in Mysuru and camped at the Government Guest House for a couple of days, sparking rumours of him testing political waters for a probable foray into Mysuru’s electoral politics that has long remained JD(S) leader-turned Congress strongman Siddaramaiah’s citadel.
Although the JD(S) has not won the Mysuru seat so far, the candidates fielded by the party in some of the earlier elections had garnered votes disproportionate to their profile, indicating the support base for the party. During the recent Assembly elections, the JD(S) won not only Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Periyapatna, but also the all-important Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency in Mysuru Lok Sabha segment.
A couple of days ago, Minister for higher Education G.T. Deve Gowda, who is also Minister in charge of the district, said the party had no candidates in Mysuru because of which the workers were rooting for Mr. Gowda.
Congress’ concerns
However, this may not be a proposal the Congress will agree to easily. “The JD(S) has never won Mysuru seat. Besides, it is a stronghold of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Mysuru has the distinction of sending two Chief Ministers from the Congress,” said KPCC spokesperson H.A. Venkatesh.
Meanwhile, if Congress cedes the seat to the JD(S), it will pour cold water on the strong hopes nursed by former MP from Mysuru C.H. Vijayshankar, two-time MP, who quit the BJP and joined Congress to contest from Mysuru.
Sources in the Congress said that Mr. Siddramaiah, who also heads the co-ordination panel, which is expected to meet in a couple of days for finalising the seat-sharing formula, was keen of giving ticket to Mr. Vijayshankar. However, the party rank and file will abide by whatever decision the leadership takes to achieve the common goal of the two secular parties to defeat the BJP, said the source.