Politicking in the heels of the by-polls tomorrow hint at a political marriage quite literally
Politicking in the heels of the by-polls tomorrow hint at a political marriage quite literallyDEVE Gowda's family politics might help the Congress in the Govindaraj Nagar by-polls on August 18.
The buzz is that Congress candidate Priya Krishna would tie the wedding knot with Gowda's granddaughter Kirthana, if a marriage proposal fructifies.
Krishna, the 25-year-old son of legislator A Krishnappa, is contesting the Govindaraj Nagar by-elections on a Congress ticket, against housing minister V Somanna. Kirthana (22) has just finished her engineering degree at RV Engineering College. She is the daughter of H D Balakrishna Gowda, eldest son of Janata Dal (Secular) boss Deve Gowda.
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Newbie: Rumoured-to-be-groom and Cong. candidate Priya Krishna pic/Satish Badiger |
"As per the plan they will be engaged soon after the polls," said a source close to Gowda family. "If the two families come closer, it would be a formidable political combination," he added.
Both families belong to Gangadkar, a sub-sect of Vokkaliga community. While Gowda is seen to be the tallest leader of the community, Priya Krishna's father M Krishnappa has a firm grip over the community vote bank in Vijaya Nagar, the constituency he represents in the assembly.
Convoluted game
JD (S) workers had wanted the party to contest from Govindaraja Nagar constituency, and in a gesture meant to pacify them, however reluctantly, Gowda had fielded a relatively unknown candidate. However, party workers were disappointed when the candidate's nomination was rejected.
The rejection of the JD (S) candidate's nomination fuelled speculation that the two families were up to striking an alliance. "They wanted to help the Congress candidate, but could not do it directly," said an anguished JD (S) worker. "Gowda's hand is behind the rejection of the nomination," he added.
As if to prove him right, Gowda himself came down to the constituency to campaign for electoral debutant Priya Krishna. He even appealed to JD (S) workers to back the Congress candidates since he was a secular candidate.
'No proposal'
However, when MiD DAY contacted M Krishnappa, he said that "there is no such proposal. You know marriages are made in heaven, and we can not realise it by mere speculations." He said Priya Krishna was still young and there was ample time to think about his marriage.
A miffed Balakrishna Gowda said, "Don't mix family matters with politics. I will let you know if there is any such proposal. But please don't try to spoil our children's future by speculating about their marriage."
