Big divide in the Gowda household

Former PM's sons H D Kumaraswamy and Revanna plan to field their respective wives in by-polls from Channapatna constituency

Big divide in the Gowda household

Former PM's sons H D Kumaraswamy and Revanna plan to field their respective wives in by-polls from Channapatna constituency

The discord within the Gowda family was settled when Deve Gowda stepped in and things were alleviated. But now, it seems that that settlement was just temporary. According to sources, JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna, JD(S) legislator party leader in the assembly, plan to field their respective wives from Vokkaliga-strong Channapatna in the ensuing by-polls, and appear prepared to go to any extent to get the constituency within their respective holds.

The great divide: While Revanna's wife wanted to contest elections
from Madhugiri constituency in a by-poll in 2008, Kumaraswamy blocked
her and fielded his wife instead

Kumaraswamy, is even contemplating becoming a candidate himself in order to block his brother wife, Bhavani Revanna from entering the fray. Of the four constituencies, Channapatna is coveted by the JD(S) as it is dominated by Vokkaliga votersu00a0-- traditional supporters of the party.u00a0 Bhavani had already expressed her desire to contest from the constituency. K R Nagara in Mysore is another constituency she is eying.

While Bhavani wanted to enter electoral politics in 2008 when the state assembly went for polls, Kumaraswamy blocked Bhavani and fielded his wife Anitha from Madhugiri constituency in the by-poll. This had triggered bitter squabbles within the Gowda clan, which was temporarily calmed after the patriarch's intervention. Now, the trouble has returned with the assembly heading for another by-poll.

Bone of contention
Presently, the legislative assembly has 21 vacancies as a result of disqualification of 17 MLAs and the resignation of 4 legislators. While the disqualification case is pending in court, polls for Chananpatna, Bangarapet, Jagalur and Koppala constituencies are expected to kick off next month.

A source in the party said, "Channapatna is always an attractive prize for the family and Kumaraswamy wants to keep it within his hold, while Bhavani also wants to contest from there." JD(S) legislators M C Aswath (Channapatna), Sanganna Karadi (Koppala) and Congress MLAs M Ramachandrappa (Jagalur) and Narayanaswamy (Bangarapet) resigned as a result of being enticed by 'operation lotus', the poaching drive of MLAs by the BJP.

In order to achieve his end, Kumaraswamy is even contemplating candidature from Channapatna, said the source. He was representing Ramangara, a neighbouring constituency of Channapatna, and had resigned to contest in parliamentary polls in 2009. Now, his latest overtures have given rise to curiosity in political circles.
"There is pressure from party workers on Kumaraswamy to contest from Channapatna, but he is yet to take a decision," said Sadananda, spokes person for Kumaraswamy.

Regarding Anitha's candidature, he said, "The party is considering shifting Anitha from Madhugiri to Channapatna sometime, but not now. The party wants her to field from Channapatna in the next assembly polls, but not in the by-polls," he added.

Commenting on Bhavani's candidature, he said K R Nagar was a prosperous constituency and she didn't want to contest from Channapatna. In addition, Sadananda denied that there was a rift in the family over Channapatna candidature.