Daijiworld Media Network
Hassan, Mar 9: Third generation members of H D Deve Gowda’s family making debut in the political fray during this Lok Sabha election has been a big news. It is believed that chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Gowda will contest from Mandya while JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda will most likely forsake his ‘safe’ Hassan Lok Sabha seat to make sure grandson Prajwal Revanna emerges winner from there.
Even though Hassan is a JD(S) bastion, it may not be easy for Prajwal, who is known to be ‘rude’ and not in good terms with local JD(S) leaders.
The 28-year-old had publically vented out against JD(S) and his uncle H D Kumaraswamy ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, after being denied ticket. Sources say that a bitter family dispute was triggered but H D Deve Gowda calmed the family by promising Prajwal the Hassan ticket in the Lok Sabha polls.
Son of PWD minister H D Revanna, Prajwal has already started campaigning in Hassan and is supported by his mother Bhavani Revanna and brother Suraj Revanna.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders have shown disgruntlement against JD(S) as they feel the H D Gowda is taking advantage of the coalition to launch the political careers of his grandsons. Prajwal has supposedly many enemies in Congress and BJP due to his brash attitude.
Former minister and defeated Arkalgud MLA A Manju openly told a newspaper that Prajwal was inexperienced, and was not fit to contest the Parliamentary elections. He also accused JD(S) for trying to destroy Congress in the old Mysore region. Manju said that if H D Deve Gowda gives up his Hassan seat, he will be letting the people of the region down.
He also expressed disappointment that JD(S) is expecting seats held by Congress in constituencies such as Kolar, Chitradurga, Chikkaballapur and Tumakuru.
Meanwhile, there are rumours that with H D Deve Gowda not contesting Hassan, A Manju may join BJP and contest on BJP ticket from the constituency.
The BJP feels with Prajwal being ‘unpopular’ they have an opportunity to win the Hassan seat. While Hassan has nearly four lac Vokkaliga voters, BJP is aiming to win Lingayat, Kuruba and the Brahmin votes.
There are also speculations that BJP is planning to field Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi or Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje from Hassan, as they lack a strong candidate in the region.