Mysuru: Ask for a poll ticket for your favourite leader and get slapped, a full year before the polls are actually here! What could happen in the months leading to the 2018 Assembly elections when tempers run high and the race reaches an unbearable pitch, is anyone's imagination.
The shocking incident happened in Nanjangud where JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy presented the first list of around 100 candidates to Lord Srikanteshwara for his blessings on Wednesday. Premkumar, vice-president of Hunsur taluk panchayat demanded that the Humsur ticket be given to a family member of Chamundeshwari JD(S) MLA, G.T. Deve Gowda and not former Congress MP A.H. Vishwanath or Prajwal Revanna, son of H.D. Revanna.
Kumaraswamy lost his temper and allegedly slapped Premkumar in front of scores of party workers. As the video went viral on social media, the former CM denied hitting Premkumar and claimed his hand had only accidentally touched his cheeks. It was no big issue as Premkumar was like a member of his family, reasoned the JD(S) chief. As for Premkumar, he dismissed the slapping incident as trivial saying there was nothing wrong even if his leader had slapped him!
As per the list, the JD(S) has denied tickets to 10 legislators including the six rebels who voted for Congress candidates in the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls held last year, violating the party whip. While Kumaraswamy will contest from Ramanagar, brother H.D. Revanna will seek re-election from Holenarsipura in Hassan. Kumaraswamy's wife Anita does not find place in the list.
