Modi wave only in urban pockets, says former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: He loves being in the midst of electoral action and always has his way when it comes to party decisions. Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who has managed to impress his father and JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda in selection of candidates, is now trying to convince him that Chickballapur could be his own ticket to Parliament. He spoke of this and more in a quick chat with Deccan Chronicle.

I never wanted to contest the Parliamentary elections but organise the party in the state. If I wanted to, I would have contested from Bengaluru Rural.We had planned on fielding Mr Srinivas Murthy from the constituency and then decided on my wife, Mrs Anitha. When she backed out, the people began to call for me. So I have decided to consult people both in Chickballapur and Ramanagar before taking a final call.

Ever since I became chief minister, I have earned the goodwill of people across constituencies. They want me to contest from their regions. It is tough to satisfy everyone, but we cannot push away the people who love us. There is also the larger question of the Third Front emerging in the county. JD(S) needs to win more seats to make its presence felt in the alternative government. We need candidates who can win and in Chickballapur we are still looking for one.

The scenario is somewhat like in 1996, when Mr Deve Gowda became Prime Minister. Though the BJP is harping on a Modi wave, the regional parties are doing much better than expected going by poll surveys. Even the Congress will have no option but to support the Third Front.

It’s been artificially created using the media and social media. It may hit urban pockets, but will not reach the rural masses.