JD(S) names MLC candidate as 11 file nominations

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: J D(S) named TN Javarayi Gowda its solitary MLC candidate on Monday for the June 13 elections even as all 11 ticket holders filed their nominations on the last date to do so. The number of seats that are up for grabs is 11, which means all of them will be elected unopposed.

Javarayi Gowda will replace sitting JD(S) MLC BM Farooque, who had lobbied with party patriarch HD Deve Gowda, seeking a re-nomination but to no avail. Gowda on the other hand is a loyalist of JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy.

Javarayi had contested from the Yeshwantpur Assembly constituency thrice but lost and is presumably being rewarded by his party. Meanwhile, three candidates from allies BJP also filed their nomination. Incumbent MLC N Ravikumar secured a re-nomination as Hindutva ideologue CT Ravi and party leader MG Muley filed their papers.

From the ruling Congress, nominations were filed by seven candidates namely Minister for Science and Technology NS Boseraju, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Vasanth Kumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Dr Yatindra, political secretary to the CM K Govindaraju and party leaders Ivan D'Souza, Bilkis Bano and Jagdev Guttedar.

Javarayi breaks down, thanks first family

A visibly emotional Javarayi Gowda thanked the Gowda family for reposing faith in him.

“I have tears in my eyes because he (Kumaraswamy) kept his word. Otherwise, I will serve people even if I don’t have power. I have played a role in three parliamentary polls, apart from BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) elections and Panchayat polls. I will continue to try and do my best in this constituency (Yeshwantpur),” Gowda said.

He added that he was thankful to Kumaraswamy because he convinced party leaders like MLA GT Deve Gowda, MLC HM Ramesh Gowda and others to be able to finalize his name as the MLC candidate.