BENGALURU: A week after joining the JD(S), Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, announced his plans to draw young people into the party. In a chat with Express, the BE graduate said he would soon tour the state to interact with those between 18 and 35. Prajwal hopes to organise a youth convention in Bengaluru after the party’s ongoing membership drive is completed.
He also wants to form a dynamic team to advise the youth wing of the JD(S) and make it more responsive to youthful aspirations.
“There is a general feeling that the youth are not attracted towards the JD(S). This may be true to an extent, but we would like to change that perception,” he said.
Prajwal doesn’t hold any official party position. “I have no intention of taking up any position either. My focus will be to strengthen the party from the grassroots level,” he said.
He also plans to revitalise the old guard. “Some elders have become inactive. I would like to bring them back and involve them in party-building,” he said.
Asked if he would eventually head the youth wing of the JD(S), he replied in the negative. He said he would rather bridge the parent body and the youth wing in an informal capacity.
So with no party powers, how does he plan to go about his plans? He said he would prepare a project report on how to rope in the young and draw good workers back to the fold.
“We have a group working on this. Once the plan is ready, we will forward it to both Deve Gowda and state party president H D Kumaraswamy for their approval,” he said.
Prajwal, who is building a network across the state through the JD(S) development wing, also hopes to bring back those who have quit the party.
He wants dedicated workers recognised and rewarded with party positions.
“My job will be that of a facilitator between party workers and Deve Gowda,” he said, pushing aside the suggestion that his initiatives could lead to conflicts with uncle Kumaraswamy.
“I will be working according to his directions, so where is the question of conflict? I have his blessings and he will be happy if I do well,” he said.
Mom’s Take
Prajwal’s mother Bhavani Revanna, who also nurtures political ambitions, said she never wanted to bring any of her sons to politics. “But now, with Deve Gowda blessing Prajwal, I have no option but to wish him success,” she told Express.
Bhavani also maintains Prajwal’s entry into the party will not create any problem within the family.
“Nikhil (son of Kumaraswamy and Anitha) is also my son. And if he so wishes, he can also join the party. After all, they are not going to contest against each other,” she said.
Prajwal and Nikhil would work to strengthen the party just like their fathers, she asserted.
Denying the allegation that JD(S) had become a family party, Bhavani said, “But family rule is common in all political parties in our country.”
Prajwal is not seeking a backdoor entry through the Rajya Sabha or the Legislative Council. He will contest elections and it is up to the people to elect him or defeat him, she remarked.