Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa indirectly expressed his disinclination to contest the Assembly election from C.V. Raman Nagar constituency in Bengaluru as being speculated in political circles when he said here on Tuesday that “my heart and soul is with the people of Mysuru region”.
The change in constituency was being speculated for quite some time now, but the Minister said more than power, he wished to work for strengthening the Congress, and he had communicated this to the party.
Mr. Mahadevappa, who represents T. Narsipur constituency, had made similar remarks at a meeting in the town on Monday. The Minister told mediapersons here on Tuesday, “Personally, I’m mentally attached to the people of T. Narsipur–Nanjangud–Mysuru belt who have nurtured and helped me grow politically, and do not wish to leave them, and hence would stay here and work to strengthen the party in the region.”
“Besides, the political situation in the country is at a crossroads, the Constitution is under threat, communalism is gaining ground, and more than power, the election is all about upholding secular values, and hence I want to work hard for the party’s future,” he added.
To a question on whether his son Sunil Bose would contest from T. Narsipur in his place, Mr. Mahadevappa was ambivalent and said the party’s central leadership would decide the candidature.
Mr. Bose admitted that he too was an aspirant for the party ticket from T. Narsipur and that his name, in addition to his father’s, had been forwarded to the party’s central leadership. “In the event the high command decides to allot ticket to only one member from a family, then I will try to convince my father to contest, but will abide by his decision,” he added.
