Revanna, Anitha meet Siddaramaiah, seek help to ensure support to Nikhil, Prajwal
Bengaluru: With political careers of their sons at stake, CM H.D. Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy and Public Works minister H. D. Revannna called on former chief minister Siddaramaiah, separately on Saturday to ensure the victory of Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal in next month's Lok Sabha polls.
With the state's most powerful political family, headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, facing a volley of protests and stiff opposition from Congress leaders and workers, post the seat-sharing pact, Mrs Kumaraswamy and Mr Revanna rushed to seek Mr Siddaramaiah's help to quell the rebellion and to secure complete support of his party workers.
Much to their displeasure, members of this family have witnessed Congress leaders supporting independent candidate and widow of 'Rebel star' Mrs Sumalatha Ambareesh, a development which does not augur well for debutant Mr Nikhil Kumaraswamy. "Moreover, in Mandya, Kurubas (clansmen of Mr Siddaramaiah) also form a large vote base after Dalits and Vokkaligas. Hence, Mrs Kumarswamy met Mr Siddaramaiah to seek his support for her son's victory,” sources explained.
In the case of Mr Revanna, who enjoys cordial relationship among all family members, also met Mr Siddaramaiah although on the pretext of attending Hassan Congress leaders at the latter's residence. "Mr Revanna has assured Congress leaders he would take every possible measure to ensure that the state government withdraws cases filed against Congress leaders or workers in the last couple of years over rivalry between JD(S) and Congress in the district," sources added.
The sources added that though former Congress leader, A. Manju deserted the Congress to contest on BJP ticket in Hassan was already facing stiff resistance from the Congress leaders themselves due to his alleged overbearing attitude.
“Post ministerial stint, Mr Manju had built his own coterie in the district and started obliging only members of that coterie as a result of this original Congress workers who had faced wrath of JD(S) over decades were more upset with Mr Manju than Mr Revanna. This has come as blessing in disguise for Mr Revanna after Congress leaders have assured him of their neutrality,” sources added.
