Ex-PM Gowda joins campaign, seeks support for grandson Nikhil

NT Correspondent

Channapatna

JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday jumped into the campaign fray as he sought support for his grandson and party's candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy from Channapatna Assembly segment, which will go for by-polls on November 13. Making a rare public appearance in recent months, the 92-year-old leader, who is facing age-related health issues, appealed to people to ensure a big win for Nikhil in the constituency which was earlier represented by his son and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy twice. Assisted by his personal staff and gunmen, Gowda, with a cannula on his right hand, attended multiple election meetings today and addressed people sitting in his chair as he cited knee pain. "This election has come as this assembly seat fell vacant due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to make Kumaraswamy a central minister.

There was confusion as to who should contest, other leaders have spoken about what all happened, I don't want to speak about that one person (Congress candidate C P Yogeeshwara)..." Gowda said. He said he has several things to say about what he has done for development of Channapatna like Igloor dam, "but no need to discuss them now." "Please, bless Nikhil Kumaraswamy, not because he is my grandson.....I don't know whether I will be a centenarian, but with your blessings I will be alive, it is a guarantee,'' he said.