Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders of Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency on Friday demanded that JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda contest the election from the constituency.
Congress leaders from Tumakuru constituency, meanwhile, demanded that Mr. Deve Gowda should either contest from the seat or give it up to the party.
While leaders from Tumakuru claimed that they would get a lead of about 3.5 lakh votes if Mr. Deve Gowda contested from there, those in Bengaluru North claimed the lead would be 5 lakhs there. Mr. Deve Gowda is learnt to have deferred his decision.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara met Mr. Deve Gowda and requested him to return the Tumakuru seat to the party if he was not contesting from the constituency.
Tumakuru is currently being represented by S.P. Muddahanume Gowda of the Congress.
The development came aid simmering discontent within the Congress’ local leadership over ceding of Tumakuru seat to the alliance partner.
Planning strategy
Congress and JD(S) leaders representing Assembly segments in Bengaluru North discussed strategy to ensure Mr. Deve Gowda’s victory. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Krishna Byre Gowda said as there were seven MLAs from the Congress and the JD(S) in the constituency, Mr. Deve Gowda’s victory would not be difficult. He said he would appeal to Mr. Deve Gowda to contest from Bengaluru North.
Of the eight Assembly segments in Bengaluru North, five (K.R. Puram, Byatarayanapura, Yeshwantpur, Hebbal, and Pulakeshinagar) are held by the Congress, and Dasarahalli and Mahalakshmi Layout are with the JD(S), and Malleshwarm is with the BJP.