The two tallest, yet arch-rival, Vokkaligas — JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and former external affairs minister S.M.
The two tallest, yet arch-rival, Vokkaligas — JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and former external affairs minister S.M. Krishna — set political circles abuzz when they came together in the hotbed of Vokkaliga politics, Mandya district, and even turned mutual admirers to espouse the cause of their clansmen.
The “unite Vokkaligas” call was given by these two veteran politicians at the inaugural of a community hall organised by K.R. Nagar Vokkaliga Sangha. “Keep your differences aside in a towel (the towel is considered a symbol of Vokkaligas in rural Karnataka) for the welfare of the community. I am not a politician who indulges in cheap politics. I am not bothered about what others think of my participation in this event,” Mr Krishna remarked as he reminisced how Mr Gowda and he climbed the rungs of state and national politics, sometimes breaking bread together.
“Mr Deve Gowda’s rise as Prime Minister is a proud moment for every Kannadiga even today,” he added. Mr Gowda responded saying Mr Krishna’s contribution to the state was immense.
“Compared to the present dispensation, Mr Krishna’s was the best,” adding that it was divine intervention which brought them together at K.R. Nagar.
Sources in the Congress said Mr Krishna’s decision to share space with Mr Gowda was a message to both chief minister Siddaramaiah and to central leaders of his party not to sideline the dominant Vokkaliga community.
