Bengaluru: Although much has been said about Janata Dal (S) supremo, H. D. Deve Gowda's “slim” chances from Tumakuru this Lok Sabha poll, the voting pattern appears to be in his favour in the constituency. Going by both the previous general elections and assembly poll, the former Prime Minister has an edge as the Congress has not fielded any candidate against him.
The Congress party’s decision to expel seven supporters of its former MLA, K. N. Rajanna a day before polling, has, however, fueled talk of Mr Gowda losing from the constituency. Going by the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S), which did not seriously contest even one seat, was able to secure 2.58 lakh votes, and the BJP, 3.55 lakh, while the Congress remained the winner with 4.29 lakh votes.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior JD(S) leader claimed it had formidable presence in the Tumakuru after Hassan and Mandya, which are considered the fiefdoms of the Gowda family.
“Although, our opponents (including some Congress leaders tacitly) join the chorus against Mr Gowda, raking up the old Hemavati river issue during elections, they conveniently forget that the very same Tumakuru district was the first to get a statue of Mr Gowda and This is an example of how he has made his way into the hearts of Vokkligas here,” sources added.
Although Mr Rajanna too is a strong leader who enjoys considerable following in both Madhugiri and Koratgere constituencies, sources note that the JD(S) has commendable presence in these parts, always securing anywhere between 65000 and 70,000 votes in them. “Don't forget this is the constituency, which ensured the entry of Chief Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy's wife, Anita into politics through a by-elections in 2008,” they added.
In Koratgere constituency too the Janata Dal (Secular) has formidable presence securing 73,000 votes in the last election, although its lost.
“Even if we take general elections statistics, the JD(S) has secured around 40,000 votes each in these constituencies. These statistics speaks volumes about how the party may do in these constituencies, even if the Congress does not fully support it. The JD(S) has good presence in all other assembly segments too, with the party winning 20,000 to 35,000 votes in each during the 2014 LS polls,” said party insiders.
