The Congress in Karnataka may ask former Prime Minister Deve Gowda to contest from Bengaluru North. A team of five Congress MLAs, which was entrusted with the job of selecting a candidate decided to request Gowda in this regard
Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda may contest the Lok Sabha election from Bengaluru North as well. If he does so, Bengaluru North becomes his second constituency, after Tumakuru.
As the last date for filing nominations draws closer, the Congress is yet to finalise its candidate for Bengaluru North constituency.
Earlier, there were talks that Krishna Byre Gowda, a senior Congress leader from Karnataka would be contesting from this constituency. But a team headed by none other than Krishna himself, took a decision that they would seek the JD(S) supremo’s candidacy from the constituency.
“A team of five MLAs met up to decide on the candidacy. We have come to a conclusion that Deve Gowda is the suitable candidate. Presently, he is in Tumakuru, filing his nomination. We will meet him later and request him to contest from Bengaluru North. Hopefully, by evening, we should all reach a consensus and finalise the name,” Krishna, who is a minister in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, said.
But what prods the Congress to field Gowda?
“They think it is a safe seat for Deve Gowda. The constituency abounds with the Vokkaliga community. That being the case, the leaders feel that he is the best bet. Hence they may have taken this decision,” says Hemanth Kumar, a political analyst.
However, one should note that the BJP is fielding its best candidate DV Sadananda Gowda who also happens to be the incumbent MP. He has been contesting from the constituency for a long time and feels extremely confident of his chances.
He has been mocking the coalition of the Congress and JD(S) for not being able to take a firm decision in this regard. It must also be noted that outraged rebel leader Muddahanumegowda was offered Bengaluru North, but he outright rejected it, saying it was not his cup of tea.
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