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Gowda rides a tractor to office

Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H D Deve Gowda today rode a tractor to his party office in Bangalore to address a gathering of farmers.

'Farmer riding a tractor' is the JD-S's symbol for the forthcoming polls.

Earlier, Deve Gowda, clad in a white dhoti and kurta and sporting a green turban, went to the Annammadevi temple in the busy Majestic area of Bangalore, accompanied by his wife Chennamma and sons. Hundreds of supporters had thronged the temple for a glimpse of their leader.

After a 20-minute pooja, Deve Gowda climbed on to the tractor and began his journey to the party office. About half-a-dozen tractors carrying party leaders, including Karnataka unit chief K Siddaramaiah, followed him.

A beaming Deve Gowda told reporters that he was happy about the the new symbol and added that it was his desire to see every farmer in Karnataka own a tractor before the end of this year.

It took over two hours for Deve Gowda to reach the party office.

Ramesh, a tractor driver at a farm owned by Deve Gowda's son H D Kumarswamy, said he was pleased to be able to teach the former prime minister to drive. Deve Gowda spent two hours at the farm last evening learning the basics of driving a tractor.

UNI

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