Will D.V. Sadananda Gowda Join Congress? Congress Extends Invitation To Former CM

Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who has been denied BJP ticket from Bangalore North Constituency, is reportedly being wooed by the Congress party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In response, D.V. Sadananda Gowda has created suspense by announcing that he will reveal his next political move through a media conference at 10:30 am on Tuesday.

March 18 marks D.V. Sadananda Gowda's 71st birthday, and his fans have organised a large-scale event in his honor. Speculation is rife that after participating in this event, he may leave the BJP and join the Congress.

In an interview with Vistara News on Monday, D.V. Sadananda Gowda confirmed that the Congress has contacted him. "Yes, my heart is hurt. Yes, party leaders called and talked. But until this evening, none of this was the subject of discussion. My fan group has organized a program to wish me well. I will think after this program is over. I will appear before the media tomorrow (March 19) at 10:30 am. Then everything will be known," said Sadananda Gowda.

There are reports that Sadananda Gowda has been offered the Bangalore North, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, and Mysore-Kodagu constituencies by the Congress. It is speculated that he may choose either Bangalore North or Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.

Congress sources suggest that Sadananda Gowda may contest from the Mysore-Kodagu constituency. This information is expected to be confirmed at the press conference scheduled for Tuesday.

The Congress is facing a shortage of candidates in some constituencies and has initiated efforts to address this issue. Particularly in the constituency dominated by the Vokkaliga community, former CM Sadananda Gowda and S.T. Somashekhar were slated to undergo a political realignment.

It is rumored that if S.T. Somasekhar is selected for the North Bangalore constituency, Sadananda Gowda may be fielded from the Mysore-Kodagu constituency. Talks with Somashekhar are said to have already been completed.

Reacting to the reports of contact with Sadananda Gowda, BJP candidate from Bengaluru North Constituency, Shobha Karandlaje, stated, "Congress has no candidates. They are very frustrated. Congress does not even know who they are contacting. Sadananda Gowda has served as the CM and held many responsibilities in the party. Everyone's goal is to make Modi the Prime Minister. So, I am confident that everyone will work together."

Regarding the lack of action against S.T. Somasekhar, she remarked that action should not only be taken by them but also by the Speaker. She criticized Somashekhar for voting for Congress in the Rajya Sabha and stated that he should have resigned on his own. She expressed confidence in the upcoming elections and stated that the necessary actions will be taken accordingly.