HDK's dilemma: To contest or not

Uncertainity continues in the JD(S) over the party’s candidate for the Chikkaballapur seat, where Union Minister Veerappa Moily is the Congress candidate.

While party national president H D Deve Gowda is not for fielding his son H D Kumaraswamy there, the latter is not averse to entering the fray.

Deve Gowda on Tuesday ruled out Kumaraswamy contesting in Chikkaballapur.

“Given his age and health, he needs to keep himself fit for campaigning. If he contests from Chikkaballapur, it will become a problem for our campaigning across the State. I will be tied down in Hassan and cannot travel at this age. Krishnappa is also contesting from Tumkur and hence, cannot travel extensively.”

But Kumaraswamy is not ruling out the possibility of throwing his hat in the ring.
“Our intention is to win 12 to 13 seats. I will try to convince my supporters in Ramanagar and Bangalore Rural constituencies as to why there is pressure on me to enter the fray. If they give permission, I will contest,” he said.

‘Under pressure’

On being reminded that his father was not in favour of fielding him, Kumaraswamy said, “Some leaders in Delhi are pressuring my father not to field me against Moily.

But we will take a final call, keeping the interest of the party in mind.” Kumaraswamy said the names of Srinivas Murthy, Munnegowda and Anitha Kumaraswamy were being considered for the constituency.

However, due to certain developments in recent days, there has been some pressure from Chikkaballapur for him to contest from there, the former chief minister said.
Gowda and Kumaraswamy have, however, ruled out the chances of the latter’s son Nikhil Gowda contesting from Chikkaballapur.

“My son wants another two to three years to work in the party before entering electoral politics,” he said.