HD Devegowda was addressing a public meeting in Hassan
Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday got emotional as he announced that his grandson Prajwal Revanna would be the candidate from Karnataka's Hassan, a constituency he currently represents in the Lok Sabha. Prajwal Revanna also started crying as he saw his grandfather in tears. As images of the grandfather-grandson duo was splashed across local TV channels, the opposition BJP dismissed the public display of emotion, tweeting "First Drama for the 2019 elections begins now".
The Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) - coalition partners in Karnataka - have arrived at a 20-8 seat-sharing agreement. The JD(S)'s share includes Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Hasan, Mandya, Bengaluru North, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru and Vijayapura.
Hassan and Mandya are considered JD(S) strongholds, although the leaders' plan to field two grandsons of HD Deve Gowda - Prajwal Revanna and Nikhil Kumaraswamy - in these seats has caused dissatisfaction within the party.
HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday launched the poll campaign of Prajwal Revanna, amid allegations that he was practising dynasty politics.
"...so many allegations, from morning in the media (they talk about) Devegowda, Revanna, Kumaraswamy and their sons," HD Deve Gowda said as he wiped tears from his face.
Talking to the media later, he reacted to a social media campaign titled "Go back Nikhil", launched to oppose his grandson's candidature in Mandya.
"It was the decision of JD(S) leaders to field Nikil from Mandya. I had not announced. I'm deeply pained, they are saying Nikhil Go Back..." he was quoted by news agency PTI.
"...I will go to Mandya... let them shout go back...for whom I fought in last 60 years, I will place everything before the people of Mandya," he added.
Opposition has alleged that JDS workers were ignored for party tickets for Lok Sabha election to make way for HD Deve Gowda's family.
The BJP, meanwhile, slammed HD Deve Gowda and his family, saying they were master in the "Art of Crying".
(With inputs from PTI)