Cong MLC-Gowda clash over Bangalore North seat in upcoming polls?

Team Udayavani, Jan 4, 2019, 12:27 PM IST

Bengaluru: Amid reports that JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda might contest the Lok Sabha polls from Bangalore North, senior Congress leader and MLC H M Revanna expressed his keenness to contest from the seat.

“In Hebbal (assembly segment that comes under Bengaluru north) also I have my (base). For 12 years I have worked as Bengaluru city president and prepared several people (for the party). I’m a known face in this part,”Revanna said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said he was also an aspirant and he was asking the party for a ticket. “Whatever theparty decides, I will abide by it, but I’m also an aspirant,” he said.

Revanna, who had lost from Chennapatna, also pointed out that during the recent Assembly elections he wasn’t given a ticket from either Magadi or Hebbal and his term as MLC was also coming to an end.

Considered a close confidante of Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he was also an aspirant for the Minister’s post in the coalition cabinet.

According to reports, during the recent party meeting, a section of leaders from Bengaluru proposed the idea of Gowda contesting from Bangalore North as it would help the ruling coalition to gain a hold in the city.

Vokkaligas, the community to which Gowda belongs, have a considerable presence in the constituency, along with minorities.

BJP currently has a hold over the three Lok Sabha constituencies Bangalore- North, South and Central.

Union Minister Sadananda Gowda is the sitting Member of Parliament from Bangalore North.

There is no clarity on whether Sadananda Gowda will contest from the constituency, with reports suggesting that he may go back to Udupi Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency.

Stating that JD(S) was looking for 12 out of 28 seats in the state to contest during the Lok Sabha polls,Gowda on Saturday had given a clear indication about his grandson Prajwal Revanna contesting the polls from Hassan, the JD(S) bastion that he has been representing.

Asked about reports that he was considering contesting the Lok Sabha polls,Gowda, citing health reasons and his age, saidhe has “not decided yet.