Will Manju scuttle Gowda grandson Prajwal's chances in Hassan LS seat?

Hassan: Janata Dal Secular (JDS) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda may have announced that his grandson Prajwal will be the party’s nominee for Hassan parliamentary seat in 2019, but this may be easier said than done as former Hassan district in-charge minister A Manju is sticking to his demand that the JD(S) should sacrifice either Hassan or Mandya Lok Sabha seat for the Congress.

The Hassan seat has been represented by Mr Deve Gowda since 2004 but with his age catching up, Prajwal has been declared the party’s nominee. Mr Manju, who lost the 2014 election from Hassan to Mr Deve Gowda , was, however, successful in reducing his victory margin of 2.91 lakh in 2009 to just a lakh. And now, he is flexing his muscles again. Mr Manju told Deccan Chronicle that he had sought either Hassan or Mandya seat for the Congress.

“This is to keep the presence of Congress intact in the Old Mysuru region. I have also demanded that the Mysuru seat be given to the Congress,” he added. Party insiders say they would prefer to press the NOTA button if the Congress compromises on Hassan. Some believe that the party high command could stop Mr Manju from airing his views in public to allow the party to count on the support of JD(S) should AICC president Rahul Gandhi take a shot at becoming PM.

Although Mr Manju lost the Arakalgudu assembly seat to JD(S) candidate A.T. Ramaswamy, he is on the list of probable Congress contenders for Lok Sabha polls from the state and this could be fueling his interest in the Mysuru and Mandya LS seats, believe party sources.