Gowda will not contest from Hassan: CM

Clarifying that his father and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda will not be contesting from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency as speculated, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said that the former prime minister will contest the upcoming elections from either Tumkur or Bangalore North constituencies.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said, “There is still no clarity on Deve Gowda’s candidature. Revanna and Prajwal had asked him to contest from Hassan itself. But Gowda had assured the seat to Prajwal three years ago itself. He will contest from either Tumkur or Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituencies.”

Leaders from both constituencies continue to build pressure on Gowda to pick their constituency for his candidature.

Congress leader and RDPR Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who met Gowda on Thursday, said that though the Bangalore North MLAs had continued to urge him to be their candidate, the JD(S) patriarch was yet to take a call on the matter. Though Congress has ceded the constituency to the JD(S), the coalition partners are also exploring the possibility of fielding the Minister from here.

Byre Gowda, who represents Byatarayanapura Assembly segment, however, said that he was not inclined towards contesting the elections.

“When we spoke to him yesterday (Wednesday), Gowda had said he would decide after deliberating on the issue. There is pressure for him to contest from Tumkur constituency. I have informed my party leaders that I am not interested in contesting,” he said, adding that Gowda would announce his decision after another round of discussion with leaders from both constituencies.

Tumakuru Rural MLA D C Gowrishankar said, “We are hopeful that he (Gowda) will heed to our demand. He might officially announce his decision in a day or two. Gowda is Karnataka’s gem. He should definitely contest,” he added.

In Tumakuru, Small-scale Industries Minister S R Srinivas reiterated that Gowda was the candidate from Tumkur. “He (Gowda) will hold a meeting of Congress and JD(S) leaders at HMS College on March 24 and will file his nomination on March 25,” he added.

“The BJP has said that Gowda is considering his candidature from Tumkur as he apprehends being defeated if he contests from Bangalore North. But Gowda is not afraid of anybody,” he added.