Battle For Bengaluru- Deve Gowda Could Once Again Become Kingmaker

His Janata Dal (Secular) is unlikely to win the state on its own. But, H.D. Deve Gowda’s game plan is to win Old Mysore and emerge kingmaker again

- Prathima Nandakumar

As Karnataka goes to the polls on May 12, a hung assembly seems imminent. While this is bad news for the ruling Congress and the BJP, it promises a new lease on life to Janata Dal (Secular). The regional party could once again be kingmaker.

The JD(S) cannot win on its own. Though it had a 20 per cent vote share in the previous assembly elections, it is confined to only a few districts in the Old Mysore region. But, it can ensure a triangular fight that makes it difficult for the bigger parties to get a clear majority.

Out of power for almost a decade, the JD(S) is battling dissidence, mass exodus of senior leaders, a lack of candidates and dwindling resources. The ‘Vokkaliga party’ had remained afloat by forging power-sharing alliances with the BJP and the Congress. This time, however, the JD(S) has cautiously maintained a safe distance from both parties.

At ‘Amogh’, the Bengaluru home of party patriarch Deve Gowda, a dozen security personnel are on guard. There is a steady stream of visitors, including party members, ticket aspirants, media, VIPs and astrologers. Gowda’s wife, Chennamma, 82, welcomes everyone with a warm smile. She offers the visitors coffee or a meal, depending on the time. “I never dreamed that one day he [Gowda] would enter politics or even become the prime minister,” she said. “He was a contractor when I married him. Though I never stopped him from contesting elections, I worry for him as he is getting old.”

Deve Gowda, however, seems ready to fight. “My party will go it alone,” he said. “There is no question of alliance. We will contest all 224 seats. Even if my party does not get a majority, I am prepared to sit in the opposition.” His son, state party president H.D. Kumaraswamy, seconds him.