Hassan: After months of deliberations, the Janata Dal (Secular) gave the Hassan ticket to H. P. Swaroop instead of Bhavani Revanna, the daughter-in-law of H. D. Deve Gowda who was a top contender for the post. After the internal tussle between H. D. Kumaraswamy and H. D. Revanna, the JD (S) first family on April 20 came together in a show of strength in the constituency before Swaroop files his nomination papers.
Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy, Revanna, and Bhavani Revanna held a mega roadshow in Hassan.
JD (S) leader and former Zilla Panchayat member Bhavani Revanna said that her family will campaign for Swaroop. It’s true that I was also the ticket aspirant. But, I have never said that I will not campaign If the ticket is not given to me. Deve Gowda is like a father to us, and we have never ruled out his decisions. Once, Swaroop’s name was announced, we came together and are working for the JD (S). Our aim is to make JD (S) victorious in the district, said Bhavani.
The former Zilla Panchayat member also slammed BJP MLA Preetham Gowda. “The main reason I wanted to contest from Hassan was to defeat the sitting MLA. He had spoken disrespectfully against Deve Gowda. He has no respect for women. He had challenged me to contest elections against him, after that people asked me to contest against him, which I agreed to, Bhavani added
When asked about her reaction after she was denied a ticket, Bhavani Revanna said that she was hurt by the decision.
“I was hurt. Even my followers were hurt. But, that does not mean, I will create confusion among the voters. We will work together for the party in Hassan. Some of my supporters gave me various options, but I did not find it right and asked them to stay united and work for the party. We will 100 per cent ensure Swaroop’s victory in Hassan, said the JDS leader.