Gowda sons’ squabble threatens coalition govt

Elder son Revanna wants to become dy CM of Karnataka

BANGALORE: Just when the Centre decided to revoke President’s rule in Karnataka, the fight between former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s sons for the post of deputy chief minister is threatening the formation of a BJP-JD(S) coalition government. 

While most of the JD(S) MLAs are supporting former CM HD Kumaraswamy, his elder brother HD Revanna has put his hat in the ring. Even Deve Gowda, under pressure from Revanna, is trying to arm-twist party legislators to support him. 

The drama unfolded on Wednesday when the MLAs began arriving in Bangalore from Delhi after being paraded before the President. Revanna  and Gowda made calls to the MLAs, summoning them to sign an affidavit, stating that they did not want to support BJP. But they all avoided meeting Gowda. 

Late in the evening, Kumaraswamy met Gowda and Revanna to diffuse the situation. But the outcome was not encouraging. On Thursday, some of Kumaraswamy supporters separately met Revanna and Gowda, but to no avail. 

Ever since Kumaraswamy became CM chief minister, he shares an uneasy relationship with Revanna. Revanna is a three time MLA, while Kumaraswamy entered the assembly for the first time. Gowda, who is a believer in astrology, feels that Revanna getting power will be auspicious for his own future political career.