In 2009, he contested from Mandya parliamentary constituency and stood seventh with 1.48 percent of total polled votes, surpassing once well known JD (U) which got 0.44 percent vote of total polled votes.
Gowda is a Gandhian , he contest polls as an independent candidate. He cycles about 70 kilometres every day to his constituency and spends only a mere Rs 20-30 for poll expenses.
