JD(S)-Congress unity will ensure Vokkaliga votes are not split: G.T. Devegowda
Higher education minister G.T. Devegowda, who is in-charge of Mysuru district, admits that local JD(S) workers are upset about party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda having to give up Mysuru- Kodagu constituency because former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was keen on retaining it for the Congress. But he hastily adds that as there is a JD (S)-Congress coalition in the state, they will back the Congress this Lok Sabha poll. He, however, does not anticipate an easy time for the coalition as the BJP has four MLAs as against the Congress’s one, and the JD(S)’s three in the constituency. He also believes that Mr Deve Gowda could have a good shot at becoming prime minister in the event of a UPA government coming to power at the Centre. He spoke of this and more in an interview with SHILPA P. Excerpts.
When the Congress and JD(S) have been traditional rivals in the old Mysuru region, how do you plan to make them work together these polls?
Yes, there have been very tough fights between the Congress and JD(S) in Mysuru district. So it’s upto both parties to pacify their workers. JD(S) leaders are upset as Congress workers in all eight assembly segments are working for Sumalatha in Mandya, and Congress leaders in Hassan are in conflict with Mr H D Revanna. But there is a Congress JD (S) coalition government in the state, and Mr H D Kumaraswamy is Chief Minister. We will have to coordinate somehow and send a strong message that the JD (S)-Congress coalition is here to stay for five years.
You too wanted H D Deve Gowda to contest from Mysuru- Kodagu. Are you upset that he has not been able to?
Yes, JD(S) workers are angry about this. But it has become inevitable. We are helpless. We will coordinate with the Congress.
But you are not seen actively participating in the campaign in the constituency. I was out of station. When the the Congress party hosted a joint press conference with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Mysuru recently I was not in town and could not be a part of it.
The election in Mysuru-Kodagu is being seen as a proxy battle between Mr Siddaramaiah and its BJP MP Pratap Simha.It is only some leaders who are saying this, not the people.
Will the caste factor in Mysuru -Kodagu help the Congress and JD(S)?
The Vokkaligas are dominant followed by Dalits in the constituency. As Pratap Simha is a Vokkaliga and there are Dalit leaders in the BJP too there could be a division in the votes of the two communities. (Congress candidate) Mr C H Vijayshankar enjoys good support among the Kurubas (as he from the community) and the minorities. But rather than caring for the caste factor, youth from all communities are backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, considering that both Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Kumaraswamy have come up with good programmes, it’s an equal fight in Mysuru- Kodagu.
How is this parliamentary poll different from the last?
In the previous Lok Sabha poll as (present JDS chief) Mr A H Vishwanath, who contested on a Congress ticket in Mysuru Kodagu, kept talking against Mr H D Devegowda, the Vokkaligas went against him and backed Pratap Simha, a Vokkaliga. But this time, the Vokkaliga votes will not divide as much as the JD(S) and Congress have united.
What do you think about Janata Dal (Secular) members backing Mr Deve Gowda for Prime Minister?
Yes, our party workers want this. If the UPA government comes to power, he has a fair chance of becoming prime minister again.
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