MYSURU: With by polls fast approaching, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues on Sunday turned the first-month death ceremony of H S Mahadeva Prasad in Gundlupet into a platform to launch campaign and attack opposition parties. The speakers hinted at making Geetha Mahadeva Prasad the Congress candidate.
The mammoth gathering that turned up at Halahalli to pay tribute to their leader H S Mahadeva Prasad cheered when Siddaramaiah said the party will respect the sentiments of people and will consider their demand for Geetha Mahadeva Prasad as Congress candidate. “You should support her to win polls to pay tribute to your leader Mahadeva Prasad,” he told those who had gathered. Geetha got up and responded to the huge gathering with folded hands. JSS seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami and other seers were also present.
Veteran Veerashaiva strongman and former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa urged Siddaramaiah to induct Geetha into the cabinet before the by-poll. He recommended the party high command to make Geetha the candidate for bypoll from Gundlupet.
Minister K J George also threw his weight behind Geetha’s candidature and hailed Mahadeva Prasad for his accessibility, simplicity and dedication for development.
Geetha drew applause from the audience, leaders and seers after she read out a poem for her late husband Mahadeva Prasad.