JOIN USThe Congress camp in the district is disheartened over the party ceding the Lok Sabha constituency to its coalition partner, JD(S). The Congress workers were confident that the JD(S) would not snatch the constituency, given the fact that it is already being represented by a partyman- S P Muddahanumegowda.
However, Congress cadres are an agitated with the decision of their leaders to spare the seat for JD(S). Senior Congressman and former MLA K N Rajanna, has declared that he would enter the fray as an Independent candidate if the party leaves the constituency to JD(S). The Youth Congress too has said that the decision would not augur well for the party. It is a political blow for the the sitting MP, S P Muddahanumegowda.
Muddahanumegowda’s political career had been a roller coaster ride. He was unable to contest the elections despite having ‘B’ form in 1989 and 2013. During 1989, K Lakappa, who was denied a Lok Sabha ticket was fielded from Kunigal, by sidelining Muddahanumegowda. Following the untimely demise of Lakkappa, Gowda contested the bypoll in 1992, only to be defeated. Later he won the Assembly election in 1994 and was MLA for 10 years. He was also the president of District Congress Committee. However, he was denied ticket for Kunigal and Tumakuru Rural Assembly constituencies in 2008. Gowda joined JD(S), contested the Lok Sabha elections and tasted defeat.
In 2013, the JD(S) had given ‘B’ form to Gowda for contesting from Kunigal Assembly constituency. However, party supremo issued ‘C’ form to D Nagarajaiah at the last moment and thus gave a severe blow to career of Muddahanumegowda. However, he returned to Congress in 2013 and the then president of KPCC, G Parameshwara, gve him a ticket to contest 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Gowda did not belie the hopes of Parameshwara and won the election.