Poll arithmetic and nepotism charges queer the pitch for Gowda and Kharge.
In terms of experience and staying power, few politicians in India can match H.D. Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress. The stalwarts have been in electoral politics for around 50 years, and they are contesting the Lok Sabha elections together as part of the Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka.
Gowda, 86, is contesting from Tumkur, having bequeathed his pocket borough (Hassan, from where he has won five times) to grandson Prajwal Revanna. The 77-year-old Kharge, whose lossless record includes eight assembly and two Lok Sabha wins, is now eyeing a hat-trick victory in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga).
Queering the pitch for them are political undercurrents and charges of nepotism. Gowda’s two grandsons—Nikhil, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Prajwal, son of Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna—are making their electoral debuts. Kharge’s son, Priyank, is social welfare minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet.
A section of JD(S) leaders are unhappy over the Gowdas contesting from three of seven seats allotted to the party. The Congress is contesting from the remaining 21 seats in the state.
“This is an unabashed display of dynastic hegemony,” said political analyst Ravindra Reshme. “Deve Gowda is guilty of practising both caste and family politics. It is the decline of a great man, who has been indulging in compromise politics since 2004, when his party formed the government with the Congress.”
According to Reshme, the hostilities between the two allies are growing. While Gowda considers Tumkur a safe seat, the ground situation indicates that it would be no cakewalk.
This story is from the April 28, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 28, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
There Is A Wind Blowing Against The BJP, And It Will Only Pick Up Speed
Interview - Akhilesh Yadav, Former Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh
Between hospital and home
Transitional care centres can add a lot to India's health care system
EFFORT VS EFFECT
The government's attempts to ensure quality drugs is evident, but how well new policies can be monitored on the ground remains to be seen
A way to let go of fear
Accepting the use of adult diapers is a journey with various stages-denial, concealment, rejection and reluctance
Mandeeps & a miracle
Two strangers, one deadly disease and an act of kindness. How Mandeep Mann saved Mandeep Singh, an acute leukaemia patient, by donating his stem cells
The A, B, C of cosmetic surgery
Between eight to 10 lakh cosmetic surgeries happen in India every year. Who is an ideal candidate, and what are the risks and results you can expect?
Vaccines and meningitis
In sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and encompassing the northern part of Nigeria, there exists a region known as the African Meningitis Belt (AMB).
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity
As Indians battle it out in our nation's 18th general election, it is again time for voters to reflect on the \"Idea of India\"-or rather, on two duelling ideas of India that are now before us and between which the nation must choose at the ballot box.
Defendant: an Hermès handbag
When Hermès was hit with a class-action lawsuit last month for \"antitrust\" activities, it didn't see it coming. Most of the luxury world has all eyes on this suit, filed by two interested consumers who claim they were denied a purchase, and whether it would go to trial.
A legacy, bound
Amal Allana's biography of her father, Ebrahim Alkazi, is as much personal as it is historical
