Contesting in a high-stakes battle from a constituency, Bengaluru North, which is one of the fastest growing and with the highest number of voters in Karnataka, M.V. Rajeev Gowda is pitted against the BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje. Mr. Gowda, who has been the AICC national spokesperson and was one of the contenders for the Bengaluru North constituency for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Congress from Karnataka in 2014.
Midway through hectic campaigning in his first direct elections, he stopped over for a chat at The Hindu office to talk about the Congress’ chances at breaking the Bengaluru jinx, his plans for the city if elected, and whether the “Modi factor” exists this time. Excerpts:
