Gowda and son differ over bypolls

BANGALORE: Former PM HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy are divided in their opinion over contesting the bypolls to the three assembly segements in the state on August 21.Polls are being held for Shikaripur in Shimoga district, Chikkodi in Belgaum district and Bellary rural.Citing financial constraints, Gowda told reporters here on Thursday: "We have decided not to field candidates for the three seats. The national parties, BJP and Congress, have lots of money and they can spend as much as they want. But, finances are a problem to us. Who gives us money?"However, sitting beside, Kumaraswamy contradicted his father. "Our party has a considerable strength in Shikaripur. The local leader, HT Baligar, who had contested the 2013 assembly polls, has kept in touch with people even after his defeat. The local workers want him to contest. Similarly, in Chikkodi, the party workers want us to field a candidate. We’ll discuss this with our party leaders and workers and take a final call," said Kumaraswamy.