Bengaluru: Union chemical and fertiliser minister D V Sadananda Gowda created a new controversy by stating that he started winning elections only after adding “Gowda” to his name.
Speaking at an event held in the city on Saturday, June 22 evening, organised by the Vokkaligara association, he stated that caste is a matter of pride.
“In the year 1980, I contested in the elections for the first time and I lost by a small margin. My name then was D V Sadananda. A few caste leaders in the opposition’s party advised me to add ‘Gowda’ to my name. I followed this suggestion and after that, I never lost in any election,” he said.
Now his statement has resulted in a new controversy with many of his supporters criticising him for his caste based remark. Vishnu Bhat, a BJP supporter pointed out that Gowda won the elections in the name of Hindutva and Modi. “He was never a Vokkaliga leader in any part of the state,” he stated.
