"God and the Congress have spoiled everything"

A pall of gloom has descended over Hardanahalli, caretaker Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's native village.

The Hardanahalli-ites whose joy knew no bounds when their Mannina Maga (son of the soil) became prime minister 10 months ago is now experiencing the other extreme.

The whole village -- in Karnataka's Hassan district -- was in tears on April 11, when Deve Gowda was ousted from Parliament. And many, like this 60-year-old, Basavanna Gowda, are still to recover from the events of that night.

"The prime minister was to visit the village for three days next month. But God and the Congress have spoiled everything," says 60-year-old Basavanna Gowda bitterly, "The Congress has cheated him out of power. We will not forgive them for it."

"He was a simple man; there was no change in him even after becoming the prime minister," Basavanna continues, "When I saw him last time at a public meeting at Holeneasepur, he was in his usual white shirt and dhoti -- as simple as ever."

The village, he said, had got its first pukka road, thanks to Deve Gowda. The prime minister had also launched a scheme to convert Hardanahalli into a model village. "But now, we are doubtful about it. Several prime ministers have come and gone, but none cared for the poor like Deve Gowda," the elder laments.

The poor in Karnataka would certainly have received a fair deal, if Deve Gowda had continued in office. "Now it would be difficult for us to get another chance in my life time," sighs another elder, Dodde Gowda.