Torrential rain has not dampened the fiery election campaign in Hassan in south Karnataka. Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, who has represented Hassan for five terms, is still a star campaigner. Though he switched to Tumkuru, he has left his home turf to his grandson, Prajwal Revanna.
The 86-year-old Gowda has to ensure that Hassan stands by the first family of Janata Dal (S). He has to convince the people that he has not forsaken them. He is also hellbent on defeating former minister A Manju, a former Congress man who just jumped over to the BJP.
Gowda's campaign convoy proceeded from Hassan to Belur and to a hamlet named Gabbalagoduve. The convoy consists of 31 vehicles, including escorts by the police and the SPG. Party workers shout above the chatter of rain to welcome the “elder”.
Gowda is still unassuming. The former prime minister addresses himself as a humble farmer's son. His grandson and candidate, Prajwal Revanna, stands in contrast to the dhoti-clad patriarch. The youngster sports a pair of jeans and a branded shirt and smart watch. There are diamond studs on his ears. He has left the talking to his grandfather.
When a Congress leader welcomed Gowda, he hugged the partner and said, “we are one”. Gowda's voice has become feeble but his message is loud and clear. “The Janata Dal (S) won just 37 seats in the Karnataka assembly yet the Congress allowed us to pick a chief minister. That is because the Congress wants the secular parties to stand together.
“Modi does not know that India belongs to everyone including Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. Modi has ridiculed the Mahagathbandhan (the grand alliance of opposition parties) but we will show him who is to be laughed at once the election is over.”
As the people cheer his speech with a round of applause, Gowda adds a rejoinder tongue in cheek: “I am not saying this because I want to be the prime minister. Treat Prajwal as your grandson. He is a mechanical engineer but he chose politics because he wanted to serve the people.”
Then came Gowda's master move. As he wound up his half-hour speech, he thanked all Congress leaders in the locality, naming each of them. The applause just got louder.
“My sons and their sons are politicians like me,” Gowda told Manorama. “We stand united to serve the people. Prajwal's father, H D Revanna, started his political career from the lowest rung. My other grandson, Nikhil, who is contesting in Mandya, knows the pulse of the people. He grew up watching the work of his father, H D Kumarasami, the chief minister.
“Prajwal was a member of the youth wing of the party. He then became the party general secretary. We have not offered anyone any post on a platter. This is not dynasty politics as the BJP says. The Janata Dal is not dictatorial like the BJP. I did not want to contest this time but I had to oblige senior leaders including Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad,” he said.
