The young scions of two well-known Gowda families in Hassan district, HD Deve Gowda and G Puttaswamy Gowda, are continuing their legendary political fight into the third generation. HD Deve Gowda, a former Prime Minister and leader of the Janata Party and later Janta Dal, and Gowda, a former minister and the local face of Congress, dominated the district politics in the 1980s and 1990s. Both enjoyed the backing of Vokkaligas, the second largest community in Karnataka.

In the upcoming 2024 elections, their grandsons are vying for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat. Prajwal Revanna (33), the sitting MP and HD Deve Gowda’s grandson, is contesting as an NDA candidate, while Shreyas Patel (31), Gowda’s grandson, is the Congress party’s nominee.

This political battle between the two families started in 1985 when HD Deve Gowda fought against Gowda as an independent candidate and won. However, Gowda emerged victorious in the 1989 assembly polls and the 1999 Lok Sabha polls. HD Revanna, son of Deve Gowda, has been consistently winning elections in Holenarasipur against Puttaswamy Gowda and SG Anupama. In the 2023 assembly polls, Shreyas Patel, as the Congress candidate, lost to Revanna by a narrow margin.

This is the second Lok Sabha election for Prajwal Revanna, who took over the seat from his grandfather. In the 2019 election, he defeated BJP’s A Manju. With Manju now by his side after winning the Arkalgud assembly seat, Prajwal is confident in his campaign. The JDS and BJP formed an alliance last year, changing the political landscape in Hassan. Prajwal, now fighting against the Congress, is banking on the support of JDS and BJP voters who are unhappy with the alliance.

The political battle in Hassan reflects the deep-rooted rivalry between the two Gowda families. As the third generation steps into the arena, they continue the legacy of their fathers and grandfathers. The outcome of this election will not only decide the fate of the candidates but also shape the political landscape of Hassan district.