'Haven't won a poll in 22 yrs, help me now'

L R Shivaramegowda, JD(S) candidate for the Lok Sabha byelections from Mandya constituency, has resorted to gaining sympathy by shedding tears during the JD(S)-Congress workers' meeting at Nagamangala in the district on Monday.

He told the party workers, “I have not won an election in the last 22 years and those who entered politics after me have won. You should help me win this election."

Speaking about the murder controversy he is linked with, Shivaramegowda said, "I have no role in the murder of journalist Kenchanahalli Gangadhara Murthy. The court has acquitted me. Vested interests are trying to create trouble. I have not harmed anyone in Nagamangala and I am not involved in anti-party activities," he said.

N Cheluvarayaswamy and Sureshgowda who entered politics after me have won the elections. People should support me this time, Shivaramegowda urged.

However, prominent leaders of JD(S) and Congress did not attend the meeting. Congress leader N Cheluvarayaswamy, JD(S) ticket aspirant Laskhmi Ashwin Gowda and their supporters were absent.

Shivaramegowda was linked to the murder of the journalist in 1992. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda had protested against him, holding the picture of the journalist and covering his mouth with black cloth.

Netizens had questioned the candidature of Shivaramegowda in social media, as to how Deve Gowda, who had once protested against Shivaramegowda, issued the party ticket to him.