Prajwal will apologise to HDK for 'suitcase' remark, says Gowda

JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda on Sunday said his grandson Prajwal Revanna had agreed to tender an apology to former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy for his “suitcase” remark.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Gowda said Prajwal had met him on Saturday evening and expressed regret over his comments made in Mysuru last week.

Gowda also made it clear that the party will face the Assembly polls under the leadership of Kumaraswamy. He hinted that it will be Kumaraswamy who will decide the political future of Prajwal. Kumaraswamy is the uncle of Prajwal.

Participating in a JD(S) workers’ convention at Hunsur in Mysuru district, Prajwal had said that “suitcase culture” was prevalent in the JD(S), apparently referring to the style of functioning of party state president Kumaraswamy in distributing the tickets for the Assembly elections. Prajwal, apparently unhappy that he was being denied an opportunity to contest from Hunsur (a constituency of his choice), had stated that people with wealth get front row seats in the JD(S), while those who are loyal to the party are assigned back seats.

“Kumaraswamy was hurt by Prajwal’s remark. Prajwal has agreed to meet Kumaraswamy and apologise to him. He has realised his mistake. Prajwal stated that he will abide by the instructions of Kumaraswamy,” Gowda said.

The former prime minister said Prajwal had made the remark in anguish and the JD(S) had never indulged in the “suitcase culture.”  Gowda said Prajwal had stated that he will strive to strengthen the party as a worker or keep out of the political landscape if that is what Kumaraswamy wanted.
To a query, Gowda said, “For me both Nikhil (Kumaraswamy’s son) and Prajwal (H D Revanna’s son) are the same. For me, they are both children.”

Gowda said the party will give more representation to women while distributing the tickets for the Assembly elections.