Show of unity as Gowda, Sidda campaign together

HASSAN: Setting aside their differences, JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday joined hands here to ensure the Deve Gowda’s grandson retains the Hassan seat for JD(S). They campaigned together after 13 years for Prajwal Revanna, who is seeking a seat his grandfather has represented five times.

There was much bonhomie as they traded compliments just like they used to when they were powerful leaders in Janata Dal and later JD(S) before Siddaramaiah fell out with Gowda.

They started from Kadur in

Chikkamagaluru district

. Kadur is crucial for Prajwal’s victory as Kurubas are in sizeable numbers and Siddaramaiah is the undisputed leader of this community.

After the event, Gowda flew with Siddaramaiah to Banavar in Arsikere taluk,

Hassan district

. At the rallies, JD(S) was content to let Siddaramaiah take centrestage.

Siddaramaiah tore into BJP, saying it’s destroying constitutional bodies. “Dalits, farmers and minorities will not survive if BJP comes to power,” he said. He added BJP has not given a single ticket to members of minority communities whereas Congress and JD(S) have together given eight tickets to backward class candidates and one to a minority candidate.

Deve Gowda said: “We have combined to dislodge the Modi government.”