Bengaluru: The Janata Dal-Secular regional party headed by HD Devegowda, former chief minister and prime minister is set to increase its tally in comparison to its strength of lone member in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Prajwal Revanna, son of HD Revanna and grandson of HD Devegowda representing Hassan constituency is the only Lok Sabha Member of the Parliament.
HDD and Nikhil Kumaraswamy defeated: In the 2019 general elections HD Devegowda had contested as a JDS-INC alliance candidate from Tumakuru and was defeated against GS Basavaraj of the BJP. Likewise, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of HD Kumaraswamy was defeated in the Mandya constituency against Mrs Sumalatha, an Independent supported by the BJP. After the Parliamentary polls, HD Devegowda was elected to the Rajya Sabha, along with Mallikarjun Kharge with the support of the BJP.
Mandya and Kolar to the JDS? Thanks to the alignment with the BJP and pro-Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave across the country political observers think that Mandya and Kolar may tilt in favour of the JDS. HD Kumaraswamy is the party candidate in Mandya while M Mallesh Babu is the party nominee in Kolar reserved constituency. Dr CN Manjunath, cardiologist turned politician and son-in-law of HD Devegowda is into the fray as a BJP candidate in Bengaluru Rural constituency.
Tough fight in Mandya: JDS joining the NDA by aligning with the BJP has changed the poll scenario by reducing the hitherto triangular contest between BJP, INC and the JDS into a direct fight between the JDS and the INC. Venkataramane Gowda (Star Chandru), fielded by the Congress in Mandya has paved the way for a fierce fight. Incidentally, Venkataramane Gowda is the richest candidate in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, with assets of more than 622 crores according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). He also happens to be the younger brother of KH Puttaswamy Gowda, realtor and Gowribidanur Independent MLA in Chikkaballapur district who defeated NH Shivashankara Reddy, five times MLA, Agriculture Minister and a Deputy Speaker.
Money set to flow like water: Since the Congress candidate is officially the richest in the second phase it goes without saying that money is bound to flow like water although literally there is no water for irrigation in the canals of the Krishna Raj Sagar (KRS) Dam. In Gauribidanur, his elder brother is known for pumping in money for the rejuvenation of temples, donating money to marriages and things like that to individuals in a liberal way, one year before the general elections. According to the local people he paid huge sums to garner votes in big numbers. So, it may not be a different story in Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, this time. But for HD Kumaraswamy, it is a matter of personal, and family prestige and political survival. Mrs Sumalatha has refrained from being in the fray, following a truce with the BJP. However, she hasn’t been heard of campaigning actively for HD Kumaraswamy.
INC infighting, a blessing in disguise for JDS: On the other hand, Kolar reserved constituency looks like favouring the JDS, thanks to the infighting among the district Congress leaders. The imbroglio started with the party announcing the ticket to the son-in-law of KH Muniyappa, seven times MP, former Union minister and current state minister. His daughter also is an MLA. Once, the ticket issue became clear district minister and legislators enacted a fiasco of mass resignations, without putting the papers! Ultimately, a third person not belonging to the rival groups was declared the candidate. As he doesn’t belong to either of the fighting groups, his chances of winning are said to be bleak.
Hassan feared to be a Waterloo: However, the situation in Hassan, the home district of HD Devegowda is paradoxically the opposite. Prajwal Rewanna, the sitting MP has enough of factors ingrained to be ousted. Hassan has by and large remained a family bastion for a long time and has been avenged by the rival late G Puttaswamygowda family now and then. A protégé of HD Devegowda turned arch-rival, G Puttaswamygowda defeated his mentor to become an MP, and his son HD Revanna to become a minister in the Veerendra Patil-led Congress government.
Appointment of 161 AEs’ without taking one rupee! HV Sureshkumar, senior journalist recalls-“In Hassan district, it is only HD Devegowda versus late G Puttaswamigowda and parties really don’t matter at all. Shreyas Patel, son of the late G Puttaswamygowda is the Congress candidate and is known for jelling well with the people and is appreciated for being well-mannered. Added to these qualities he has also gained sympathy for repeatedly losing earlier in both, Assembly and Parliament elections. Even his mother failed to make it to the Zilla parishat. HD Revanna had earned a good name as a minister of Power. The appointment of 161 Assistant Engineers without taking one rupee was his remarkable accomplishment. He ensured several developmental projects for the district. But, over a period of time, his attitude to men and matters have made a U-turn and the fear of upsetting the tables is said to be more”.
Car and driver incidents: A few months back an accident took place and Mrs Bhavani Revanna, wife of HD Revanna was found screaming in a way unbecoming of any gentle person. Harassment of their driver for getting back the property, they had made in his name has also thrown the family in a poor light. As if, not enough, these days Prajwal Revanna keeps saying sorry, sorry in public meetings hinting at wrongdoings and people confide in any number of CDs about him making rounds.
Advantage Congress: “G Puttaswamygowda is being revered for ensuring far-fetching projects touching the lives in a big way, including providing water to Halli Mysuru region and thereby saving it from being a perennial drought-prone area. He is also responsible for setting up a 1,000-bed government hospital in Hassan. People still remember the good work done. Shreyas Patel’s family, once lost by getting 70,000 votes and 60,000 votes the second time, and 68,000 votes in the third attempt. Shreyas Patel lost last time by only 3,000 votes. Hence, there is a sympathy wave towards Shreyas…
…Polarization of votes: In Hassan district, it is said that the Kuruba votes constitute 3, 30,000 and that of SCs and STs 3, 00,000 and Muslims around 1, 50,000 while Vokkaligas are around 4, 00, 000. Irrespective of whoever wins the margin would be slender. As long as HD Devegowda was in the fray, the wave was in his favour but that is not the trend now. Once even Devegowda himself had lost by a margin of 1, 45, 000 votes. However, JDS has mastered the art of making a change around at the last minute. So, hook or crook they will do everything possible to make sure of lady luck”, feels HV Sureshkumar.
End piece: Hunaswadi Rajan, Group Editor of Lok Shikshan Trust of publications including Samayukta Karnataka, the oldest Kannada daily remarks-“HD Revanna and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are very close to one another. As long as the same proximity keeps continuing the party and electoral politics shall only remain for public consumption”.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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