Gowda's stock goes up again

JD(S) has proved that it is growing in strength by winning two seats in bypolls

The H D Deve Gowda-led party has not only proved that it is growing in strength by winning two -- Ramnagaram and Channapatna -- of five seats, but succeeded in sending a right message to the Congress high command by supporting the party in Govindrajnagar: That partnership with the JD(S) is a must for the Congress to fight the saffron party in the State.

While Ramnagaram was a JD(S) bastion, Channapatna was held by the Congress. With C P Yogeeshwara, who had won from Channapatna as Congress candidate twice, crossing over to the BJP, the JD(S) got an opportunity to expand its base there. And it succeeded in winning the seat.

Gowda, in fact, wanted to have a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, and had asked the latter to leave out both Ramnagaram and Channapatna seats for the party, while keeping three other seats for itself. But the Congress turned down the offer.

Of the five seats that went to bypoll, four were previously held by the Congress. So, the party insisted that it would contest in all four. As a result, the talks failed.

However, Gowda did not lose heart. He voluntarily announced unconditional support to the Congress in Govindrajnagar.

The JD(S) workers in Govindrajnagar worked hand-in-hand with the Congress during the campaign.

Result: the Congress candidate Priya Krishna, though a political novice, defeated seasoned politician and Minister V Somanna. More importantly, it is the only seat the Congress managed to win of the five.

Now Gowda and his son - former CM are openly claiming credit for the Congress’ victory in Govindrajnagar. “The JD(S) is also responsible for the Congress’ victory in Govindrajnagar. It is high time that the Congress understood that the JD(S) should not be underestimated, and both parties going together is a must if the BJP has to be defeated,” JD(S) State President Kumaraswamy said.