In a sign of the continuing uncertainty over the constituency from where JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda will contest, Mr. Deve Gowda met Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday at his residence to discuss a “suitable candidate” for Bengaluru North constituency.
The toss-up for Mr. Gowda is between Bengaluru North and Tumakuru, both of which have come the way of the JD(S) in the seat-sharing arrangement.
It was rumoured that the visit was aimed at persuading Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda to contest from this constituency, but it was later denied by the Minister.
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Bengaluru North had been given to the JD(S) and there was no possibility of taking it back, he said.
The consensus was on supporting Mr. Deve Gowda in the interest of the coalition, he said.
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Alternatives would be looked into only if Mr. Deve Gowda refuses to contest from this constituency, he said. On Wednesday, Congress leaders, including Zameer Ahmed Khan, R. Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, and G.A. Bava, met Mr. Deve Gowda at his Padmanabha Nagar residence and promised him an “easy victory” in Bengaluru North.
Similarly, leaders and workers from Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency, including S.R. Srinivas, MLA from Gubbi, Sudhakar Lal, former Koratagere MLA, and Kantharaju, MLC, met Mr. Deve Gowda in the evening and convinced him that Tumakuru is the best bet.
While leaders from both constituencies want Mr. Gowda to contest from their segments, indications are that he may finally pick Tumakuru,
Madhwaraj for JD(S)
Meanwhile, it is almost certain that the former Minister and Congress leader Pramod Madhwaraj will be contesting from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency as a JD(S) candidate. Sources in the JD(S) said that following a discussion with Mr. Madhwaraj the decision was agreed upon.