Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy (second from left) addressing media persons along with JD(S) legislators GT Deve Gowda and SA RA Mahesh, in Mysuru on March 21, 2023. Photo Credit: MA Sriram
Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has no plans to contest from the two constituencies and accused the Congress and the BJP of spreading lies and misleading their supporters.
“I will contest from Channapatna, and nowhere else. There is no question of contesting from another constituency as claimed by my opponents,” he clarified on March 21 in the presence of JD(S) MLAs GT Deve Gowda and SR Mahesh.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that rumors are being spread by his opponents that if the MP from Mandya (Sumalatha Ambareesh) contests from the Mandya assembly seat, he will also contest from Mandya. “My party has qualified and capable candidates to contest the elections in Mandya. A party worker will contest and win the seat,” he said.
On speculation about actor and former MP Ramya contesting against him in Channapatna, he said, “Anyone can contest against me. Film stars can contest from any of the 224 seats. They cannot be confined to any one constituency. I will not be troubled by my detractors. There was talk of fielding the KPCC chief’s brother (DK Suresh) against my son (Nikhil). JD(S) is not worried.”
Mr Kumaraswamy admitted that his party had suffered losses in Kanakapura after the JD(S) and Congress coalition government was formed. However, the JD-S candidate can easily get around 60,000 votes in the election without much effort as Kanakapura was once a JD(S) stronghold. “In 2028, the JD(S) will win the Kanakapura seat (from the Congress). In the coming election, our candidate will fight in Kanakapura (against DK Shivakumar),” said the former CM.
He said that Raje Gowda is also a contender for the party ticket in Hassan. Former PM HD Deve Gowda has discussed possible candidates with the leaders of Hassan. “I would like to say that a strong candidate of the party will be in the fray. There is no need to panic.
HDK mocks Siddaramaiah’s search for a safe seat
mocked the leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah looking for a constituency, Mr. Kumaraswamy sternly said that such a situation should not arise for a former Chief Minister who has completed a full five-year term; Was Deputy CM on two occasions, and presented 13 budgets.
“I sympathize with him (Mr Siddaramaiah) for the efforts he has been making for the last one year towards finding a constituency. He is not sure of victory. This shows his lack of confidence,” remarked the JD(S) leader, referring to doubts over Mr Siddaramaiah contesting from Kolar.
“An experienced leader like Mr. Siddaramaiah, who represents a national party, is finding it very difficult to find a constituency. The uneasiness that we are facing today in finding a safe seat is not created by others but by ourselves. What could be the plight of other candidates when a leader like Mr. Siddaramaiah, who claims to have launched several ‘Bhagya’ schemes like ‘Anna Bhagya’, is facing such a plight?
Kumaraswamy said that his party has requested the Election Commission to hold elections in a single phase.
On the Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda controversy, Sri Kumaraswamy thanked Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt for putting an end to the matter. He said, ‘I will not speak any more on this issue.