There is speculation about the political future of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, nonagenarian politician known for his acumen and survival instincts in over six decades of his career, with the the ongoing Parliament session being the last in his current term.
In June, the Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and the lone member from his party in the Rajya Sabha, is set to end his term and the regional party does not have the numbers to secure his re-election. This is the second tenure of Mr. Gowda in the Rajya Sabha after the first stint in 1996 when he was the 11th Prime Minister.
Eyes on BJP
All eyes are now on the BJP, the JD(S)’s ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that is likely, with its number in the Legislative Assembly, to win one seat. The Congress has the potential to win three of the four seats.
Another veteran leader, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, is also among the four who are retiring from Karnataka.
