In Karnataka politics, father and son duo of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy are known for shedding tears during their political campaign. The Gowdas, a pair of powerful Vokkaliga leaders, are rather inevitable to Karnataka politics and control the Vokkaliga vote share, one of the dominant communities and a decisive factor in the State politics. The Vokkaligas in the old Mysore area are crucial for the formation of any Government in Karnataka. Both father and son are known for their emotional appeals and shedding tears, sobs and weeps whenever it is convenient for them.
In a campaign trail wading through the highway at Ramanagara, just 50 kms away from IT city Bangalore where all-time classic Sholay was shot, one such emotional act was witnessed recently by Kumaraswamy in an election rally. Ramanagara, an agrarian district has defeated Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy in the last Assembly elections and now Kumaraswamy wants to change his constituency. In fact last Sunday witnessed uncontrollable sobbing of Kumaraswamy asking the voters why they defeated his wife from Ramanagara.
He broke down repeatedly and was sobbing uncontrollably thinking that he convinced the audience. Kumaraswamy, who has decided to contest lok Sabha elections against Union Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily from Chikkaballapura constituency, informed the people of his constituency (Ramanagara) that he was going to change to Chikkaballapura now. But the people asked him to come back to rural areas of Bangalore and contest against DK Suresh of the Congress. Then suddenly he became emotional by the end of his speech. His stories, however, did not cut much ice with the people of Ramangaram, a rocky terrain.
Kumaranna was campaigning for the JD(S) candidate Prabhakar Reddy and asked them to vote for him as he had done a lot for the constituency. With tears in his eyes he said, “After all the insults, I now feel I am politically dead. You have another chance. If you really think I’ve done something for the people of Ramanagaram, please ensure our candidate’s (Prabhakar Reddy) victory and give us an opportunity to serve you again. If you think I have worked for your welfare, then vote for us. Or else, don’t vote.”
He went on to say that he had done so much for the constituency but people here have insulted my wife by defeating her twice. Sobbing uncontrollably he abandoned his speech and left for another constituency, Mandya, but continued to shed tears while asking for votes. Campaigning for JD(S) candidate from Mandya constituency CS Puttaraju, the former Chief Minister became emotional and continued in cry while replying to comments made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the prospects of the JD(S) in the lok Sabha elections.