Prajwal 'coaxes' Gowda, may enter fray from RR Nagar

Despite his uncle and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy's strong opposition to his candidature in the upcoming Assembly elections, Prajwal Revanna is not giving up on his political aspirations without a fight.

He has apparently coaxed his grandfather and party supremo H D Deve Gowda to let him contest the elections. After maintaining a low profile for the last two months, Prajwal, much to the chagrin of Kumaraswamy, has restarted building ground in Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) constituency in Bengaluru, from where he is hopeful of making poll debut.

On Friday, the JD(S) circles were abuzz with speculations after Prajwal was spotted in the constituency, going through the voters' list. The youngster had rarely entered RR Nagar after Gowda appointed him as the party general secretary.

He had, however, registered his protest against the party leadership by absenting himself from all the major events of the party in the last few weeks. But, with the elections fast approaching, Prajwal has decided to not lie low anymore.

He, however, told DH that he had visited the constituency to call upon families of the two JD(S) youths who had died recently. "It's true that I was in the constituency. But, I was only visiting the families of the deceased JD(S) workers. I did meet a few leaders, but I did not go around campaigning," he said.

Though Prajwal hinted that he was still an aspirant, he refused to comment on his candidature.

Sources said that Gowda, who was earlier reluctant to give his grandson the ticket, has however had a change of heart after the latter threatened to make matters worse for the party.

Prajwal has already left the party red faced with his "suitcase culture" and "bucket culture" remarks, following which Gowda had tried to silence him by giving him the general secretary post.

Gowda is now apparently willing to let his "darling grandson" contest from either RR Nagar or Yelahanka, another Vokkaliga bastion in Bengaluru.

Prajwal is however learnt to have picked RR Nagar, given his unfamiliarity with Yelahanka constituency.

Meanwhile, former corporator R Prakash claimed that he has been assured the ticket for RR Nagar and his name would be announced in the second list of JD(S) candidates.

Though Kumaraswamy continues to chant that only two members from his family will be contesting the elections, it is interesting to note that the party is yet to announce its candidate for RR Nagar. The same holds good for Channapatna, a constituency which Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy is eyeing.