JDS chief HD Deve Gowda weeps while announcing grandson Revanna's name for Lok Sabha polls

Janata Dal (Secular) founder HD Deve Gowda got all emotional as he announced on Wednesday that his grandson Prajwal Revanna would be the Congress-JDS candidate from his Lok Sabha constituency of Hassan. "...so many allegations, from morning in the media (they talk about) Deve Gowda, Revanna, Kumaraswamy and their sons (sics)," Deve Gowda said as he wiped tears amid accusations of dynasty politics. Revanna also couldn’t control his emotions as he saw his grandfather crying. However, the BJP slammed the former prime minister and said that the family were master in the "art of crying” and dismissed the public display of emotion as the "first drama" for the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress and Janata Dal-Secular have decided on a 20-8 seat-sharing formula with the former getting the larger share. The JD(S) share includes Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Hasan, Mandya, Bengaluru North, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru and Vijayapura. Hassan and Mandya are considered the JD(S) strongholds. However, the party president’s plan to field two grandsons -- Prajwal and Nikhil Kumaraswamy -- in these seats met with dissent from partyworkers.

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.

#WATCH Former PM&JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda gets emotional as he announces that his grandson Prajwal Revanna will be JD(S) candidate from Hassan constituency; says, "With your blessings&blessings of Channakeshava God, I've chosen Prajwal Revanna from Hassan." #Karnataka (13.03) pic.twitter.com/gCE0ZN1yK2

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019

"...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.

"If 'CRYING was an art Sri. @H_D_Devegowda & his family would hold the record for mastering the "Art Of Crying" to constantly fool people for decades. Matter of the fact is-- Before elections Deve Gowda & his family cries. After elections people who vote this family cries (sic)" the Karnataka BJP tweeted.