Bengaluru: There was lot of suspense over which constituency former prime minister Deve Gowda would contest from. All speculations have now come to an end now as the veteran leader of the JD(S) has decided to contest from Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency.

Deve Gowda will file his nominations between 2pm and 3pm on Monday (March 25) from Tumakuru. The decision was taken after a meeting was held at Deve Gowda's residence in Padmanabhanagar, late Friday evening.

JD(S) MLAs from Tumakuru attended the meeting held at the party chief's residence in Bengaluru.

Deve Gowda is a sitting MP from Hassan constituency. However, he had promised his grandson (Karnataka PWD minister HD Revanna's son) Prajwal Revanna a ticket to contest from Hassan, three years ago. He kept his promise and announced the candidature of Prajwal from Hassan and clarified that he will not contest from the constituency.

Deve Gowda has won the election from Hassan in 2004, 2009 and 2014. He was also elected from Hassan in 1991 and 1998. He tasted defeat only once, in 1999.

According to seat-sharing agreement between Congress and JD(S), Deve Gowda had two choices- Bengaluru North or Tumakuru apart from Hassan.
Congress wanted Deve Gowda to contest from Bengaluru North against BJP candidate Sadananda Gowda.

"I spoke to Deve Gowda ji and requested him to contest from Bengaluru North constituency. …Congress has five and the JDS has two MLAs, who can ensure his victory," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao had said earlier.