With less than a year to go for the assembly elections in Karnataka, the infighting within the JD(S)—the state's longest surviving regional party—was exposed after Prajwal Revanna (26), grandson of JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda, openly accused the party of following “suitcase culture” while distributing the party tickets. The allegation shocked the family members and senior leaders in the party. Prajwal's father and Holenarasipura MLA H.D. Revanna tried to downplay his son's allegations by stating that there was no need to take it seriously. However, an embarrassed Deve Gowda warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated.
"JD(S) today is plagued with a disease. It is the suitcase culture. The party loyalists are made to occupy the backseats, while the ones with suitcases are offered a chair in the front row," alleged Prajwal, while addressing a party meeting in Hunsur on Thursday.
Prajwal, a mechanical engineering graduate, who extensively campaigned for his grandfather in Hassan in the 2014 parliamentary polls, is being projected as a future candidate. However, Prajwal is considered to be more inclined towards state politics and had taken a keen interest in the activities of both Holenaraispura and Hunsur constituencies. After his uncle and state unit president H.D. Kumaraswamy made it clear that only two from his family—he, along with his brother Revanna—would be contesting in the upcoming assembly elections, a disappointed Prajwal openly attacked the party leadership.
"People who migrate to our party, but sail in two boats are being given tickets," added Prajwal, referring to Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda, who is planning to contest from Hunsur after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his desire to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency.
An embarrassed Revanna told reporters that the party's chief ministerial candidate was Kumaraswamy and all decisions related to the distribution of tickets would be taken by his brother (Kumaraswamy) and father.
While JD(S) leaders were quick to dismiss the allegations, stating that Prajwal was politically inexperienced, Deve Gowda said he was hurt by the statement.
"I have never accepted any briefcase in my life. In fact, I have always fought elections on borrowed money. The party will not tolerate indiscipline and I will take action even if it happens to be my son or grandson. Is politics a child's play? Choosing a constituency is not that easy. Can we give tickets to anyone and everyone?" said a visibly hurt Deve Gowda.
"Prajwal might be inclined towards politics. But will he get a ticket if he is so impulsive? Some people are instigating him," rued the former prime minister.
Dropping a hint that he would consider Prajwal for contesting the Lok Sabha seat from Hassan, Deve Gowda said, “My two sons and daughters-in-law will be contesting the assembly elections. But the question is who will contest from Hassan. I am too old and weak to contest.”
G.T. Deve Gowda, who is a ticket aspirant in Hunsur said, “Prajwal and my son Harish are both young and it is natural for them to be ambitious. Prajwal seems to be interested in Hunsur seat. Over the last three months, he has been active in that constituency. But he has not taken the local unit or leaders into confidence.”
The JD(S) has maintained equal distance from both national parties, tactfully aligning with either of the two as the situation warranted. They hope to emerge as the kingmaker in the 2018 polls. But the party and the family seem to have a bigger battle to face—at home.
