Hassan ticket: Kumaraswamy reiterates that JD(S) worker will be given priority

As ticket distribution for Hassan constituency is a major controversy for the JD(S) ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections, its leader HD Kumaraswamy on Monday reiterated his stand.

Kumaraswamy’s sister-in-law Bhavani Revanna, who contested for the Hassan ticket, has made it clear that he will not field a party worker as a candidate, but the problem has arisen. A conundrum arose within the JD(S) led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and its first family.

“As far as Haasan is concerned, I have already said that priority will be given to party members and I reiterate the same today,” Kumaraswamy told reporters.

Responding to a question about taking his ‘Pancharatna Ratha Yatra’ to Hassan assembly constituency, he said, “I have kept the schedule empty for March 18. If things (Hassan’s candidacy) go smoothly, you can understand why. By then, the event will happen in Hassan, let’s see.” The Chief Minister is conducting a ‘Pancharatna Rath Yatra’ across the state ahead of the elections to inform the people of the five-pronged ‘Panjaratna’ programme.The JD(S) plans to implement quality education, farmers’ welfare and employment once it comes to power.

Kumaraswamy is keen to field HP Swarup, son of late ex-MLA HS Prakash and former deputy president of Hassan district panchayat.

Bhavani Revanna, a former Hasan Zilla Panchayat member, is Kumaraswamy’s elder brother and wife of former minister HD Revanna and daughter-in-law of Deve Gowda. She is survived by her husband and sons Prajwal and Suraj Revanna, Hassan MP and MLC.

As both Bhavani and Swaroop continue to visit different parts of the constituency, there is confusion over the candidate who will contest the constituency.

With no signs of relenting from either side, Kumaraswamy, Revanna and other party leaders have said that party president Deve Gowda will take a final decision on the matter after discussions with leaders. The JD(S) has already announced the first list of 93 candidates for the Assembly polls by May.