Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 3: Will Yeddyurappa’s loss is going to be D V Sadananda Gowda’s gain?  Ever since the Lokayukta report is out and there are clear indications from BJP high command that Yeddyurappa will have to go come what may,  D V Sadananda Gowda has emerged as the number one  contender for the post of the much maligned Chief Ministership of Karnataka.  This means that after Veerappa Moily who was the Chief Minister of the state from November 19, 1992 to December 11, 1994, it is once again an opportunity for Dakshina Kannada District to give its second Chief Minister to the state, though at an inopportune time with the BJP finding itself in tatters.   Notwithstanding the strong Lingayat lobby of Shettar and other lobbies led by Anant Kumar/Eshwarappa camp, there are indications that Sadananda Gowda might emerge as the consensus candidate for the post.

With only 20 months left for the assembly elections, choosing a consensus candidate has become imperative for the party and of the two contenders Sadananda Gowda seems to be having the support of largest number of MLAs.

Sadananda Gowda's wife - Datty

The fact that his name has been suggested by outgoing Chief Minister has added credence to the belief that Sadananda Gowda has everything going for him. 

Clean Image

For D V,  as he is known popularly, this will be another feather in the cap because he was the President of the party  in Karnataka when the BJP formed its first government South of Vindyas in 2007, when the Yeddyurappa led government came to power in Karnataka.  And now with the ouster of Yeddyurappa, there is a vacancy for Sadananda Gowda to occupy the highest post of Chief Minister of the state.  Puttur and the neighbouring Sullia from where Sadananda Gowda hails are agog with the buzzword that Sullia’s son of the soil DV is all set to don the Chief Minister of Karnataka. 

Though Puttur is also clamoring for   its daughter Shobha Karandlaje, whose name was doing the rounds initially, she is no match to DV who has risen in politics from grass root level and has proved he is a bellwether having a clean image who has proved his capability of turning the fortunes of the party, time and again.  His clean image and experience as MLA, two-time MP and as the state President of the party, gives him an edge vis-à-vis the other contenders.  The possibility of DV becoming the Chief Minister has enheartened the people of Dakshina Kannada District.

DV who hails from Devaragunda family of Mandekolu village in Sullia Taluk was born on March 18, 1953 to Venkappa Gowda and Kamala couple.  He had his early education in Panjikal in Sullia and Puttur.  He graduated in Science from St Philomena College Puttur and completed his law degree from Vaikunta Baliga College of Law, Udupi.  It was his father who moulded his personality. But D V lost his father when he was in college and his uncle Devaragunda Chinnappa was primarily responsible for giving a proper orientation to his career. 

In one of the recent interviews to the public service broadcaster DV had acknowledged that it was Fr Henry Castelino of St Philomena College who gave a new facet to his life.   

Proved his Mettle 

From his childhood Sadananda Gowda proved his leadership qualities by donning the role of school pupil leader in high school, as leader in the college and as the general secretary at the law college.  One can say the leadership quality nurtured by him during his early years has played a crucial role in shaping him for the political roles he has essayed.  After his law degree DV worked as a public prosecutor in Sullia for 1½ years.  It was Vinayachandra, a BJP leader who encouraged him to come back to Sullia and also help build the party.  He resigned his job in Sirsi and came back to Sullia and along with his practice he helped build the party in Sullia and Puttur.  D V was appointed as the President of party’s Sullia assembly segment.  He went on to hold many important positions in the party subsequently. 

During his formative years in BJP Sadananda Gowda has served as the President of Namdekolu Co-operative Society in Sullia for 5 years.   He also served as the Vice President of South Canara District Co-operative Credit Bank, Mangalore and as the Director of CAMPCO.  It was in 1989 that Sadananda Gowda entered the electoral fray by contesting the assembly elections which he lost by a narrow  margin of 1060 votes.  That defeat gave him the impulsion required fighting the elections once again and his perseverance and hard work paid off.  In the 1994 assembly elections DV won the assembly elections by a narrow margin of 404 votes.  From then onwards he never gave up the winning formula. DV has also served as the Dy leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.  From assembly DV graduated to Lok Sabha and he was been elected as the MP twice, 2004 and 2009.  During this period he also served as the state President of the BJP in Karnataka.

D V has faced many tragedies in life. He had lost his young son a two decades back and again his elder son had met with a serious accident in September 2008.  DV also had a serious health problem and had to undergo a major surgery just a few years ago.  But he has never allowed his personal tragedies to come in the way of his public responsibilities.   

Within 15 days of the death of his son he had come to the office saying his pain should not become the pain of the society.  As president of the party in the state he steered the BJP to power in the state and continued to be its president till K S Eshwarappa took over as President in 2010.  He is the serving MP of Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency. 

For Sadananda Gowda destiny has opened its doors widely.  How he fits in and presides over the political conundrum will have to be keenly watched once he assumes office.   The fact that DV has no experience as minister is the only flaw in an otherwise impeccant track record.  For the costal people of Udupi and Mangalore, which has supported the BJP with all its might, it would be a matter of pride and satisfaction to see their own man at the helm.  It has enkindled their consciousness and also their desire to see DV occupy the coveted post.