According to the sources close to Mr Gowda, he has taken Puttur constituency as a prestige issue and his sole aim is to defeat Congress candidate Shakunthala Shetty. In this direction, Mr Gowda is said to have chalked out intensive campaign strategy, which also includes preventing his own relatives from showing loyalty to other parties.
Amidst the talks that BJP's candidate Sanjeeva Mattanduru does not hold a chance in Puttur in front of Ms Shetty, Mr Gowda is combating rebellion from his own relatives. The fact that Mr Gowda's relative Dinesh is contesting from the JD(S) is certainly a cause of worry for Mr Gowda.
The connections
Mr Gowda is in a fix. While he is extensively working for his close relative and BJP candidate Sanjeeva Mattanduru, he cannot deny the fact that over the last 18 years Dinesh, who is now the JD(S) candidate has worked sincerely for making Gowda's political career.
There is a sense of disappointment felt from various quarters over the fact that when it came to selecting between Mattanduru and Dinesh, Gowda chose Mattanduru. Disheartened by the attitude, Dinesh was compelled to join the JD(S).
Now with the two close relatives in fray, division of Okkaliga votes, which plays a decisive role in Puttur, is certain. The advantage of this division will be cashed by the Congress.
Rebel
It is said that Dinesh had started revolting against Mr Gowda when he became the CM. To subdue any upheaval and to pacify Dinesh, he was made the trustee of a temple.
Sometime ago, Shakunthala Shetty had thrown an open challenge to Mr Gowda to fight her out in the polls. Mr Gowda accepted the challenge in the form of Sanjeeva Mattanduru. But, today Mr Gowda is not just fighting Ms Shetty but he is found fighting his own people.
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