Deve Gowda says he is yet to decide on contesting LS polls
Bengaluru, Mar 19: Maintaining suspense about contesting the Lok Sabha polls, JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda Tuesday said he is yet to decide and been thinking about his 'usefulness' in the national capital.
The 85-year-old leader citing his agesaid he lacked the strength that he had in 1996, when he became the Prime Minister, but there is "enthusiasm".
He also made it clear that the opponent of opposition parties now was the BJP and not the Congress and said he would stand along with Congress president Rahul Gandhi even if he was able to do even a bit for the country under his (Gandhi) leadership.
"From where should I be contesting or not to, I think I have that much of basic freedom to decide.let's decide on it with in a few days, there is no problem. But, I'm thinking to myself about my usefulness in Delhi, I'm watching itI will decide," Gowda said.
Pointing out that in his speech at the last session of Parliament he had indicated it was his last speech, he said, but a few friends had asked him to contest this time.
"I'm yet to decide."
If he decided to contest, he along with coalition leaders, including his son and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah of Congress will decide on the constituency,he added.
Speculations are rife that Deve Gowda, who has conceded his constituency Hassan to grandson Prajwal Revanna, will contest from either Bangalore North or Tumkur constituency.
His another grandson and Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is contesting from Mandya Lok Sabha seat, another party bastion.
Three years ago itself he had said he will vacate the Hassan seat for Prajwal in view of his age, Gowda said adding there was was nothing to hide.
"Even while speaking in the Parliament. I spoke fully understanding my strengths," he said, adding he did not have the strength that he had in 1996, when he became the Prime Minister, but there is 'enthusiasm'.
"Our opponents today are not Congress, it is BJP. So if I'm able to do even a bit for this country under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, I can stand along with him Still I have not made up my mind.
"I'm still thinking, From other states also leaders are saying- you are an elderly person, having the experience of governing the country- it is a different matter, we will sit and decide...," he added.
Sections within the Congress have requested JD(S) to give Tumkur seat back to the party, amid simmering discontent within the local leadership about ceding it to the alliance partner.
However, they would not oppose if Gowda himself contests from the seat, party sources said.
Though there is pressure within the JD(S) for Gowda to contest from Bangalore North, the party fears about Congress' complete support there.
The Congress will contest 20 seats and JD(S) eight in the Lok Sabha polls in the state under a deal between the coalition partners finalised last week.
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11 female passengers held for creating nuisance, disturbing commuters in Bengaluru metro
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Bengaluru (PTI): A group of eleven female passengers was booked for allegedly creating nuisance and disturbing other commuters inside the metro train by singing aloud, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred on the night of March 15 when they were travelling from Bengaluru International Exhibition Centres to KGWA (Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Metro Station) metro line, they said.
The group allegedly started singing loudly inside the coach, leading to objections from other commuters.
Later, at Peenya Industrial Area station, some passengers alighted and continued arguing on the platform, briefly preventing the train doors from closing, a senior police officer said.
Following the incident, security personnel intervened and brought the situation under control, he said.
The same group allegedly created nuisance at several stations. Metro security staff and home guards identified and detained those involved at different points, with support from Hoysala patrol teams, police said.
Based on a complaint by BMRCL Security Officer, a non-cognisable report was filed against these 11 female passengers, the officer said.
A non-cognisable report is filed when the offence is considered minor in nature.
However, they were let off after they apologised for their actions, police said.
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