By-election: I will be a candidate for Channapatana, say DK Shivakumar and HDK

Mysuru/Davanagere: In a curious development, both Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy have said that they would be contesting the by-election to the Channapatna Assembly segment.

Speaking to the media in Mysuru, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that he will be the candidate for the upcoming Channapattana constituency by-elections.

Shivakumar said that the Congress party’s preparations are in full swing, and he expressed confidence in gaining the support of the people despite the setback in the previous elections. The Congress leader also mentioned that although he was unaware of Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s candidacy, there is no concern regarding individual candidates. The election will be contested based on party ideologies, and the Congress is focused on strengthening its base in the constituency.

Meanwhile, HD Kumaraswamy sparked curiosity by declaring himself the NDA candidate for the Channapatana by-election. Although no final decision has been made on the candidate, Kumaraswamy emphasized that whoever the candidate is, he will lead the NDA campaign.

Further, the Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused current CM Siddaramaiah of betraying the party and its workers for power. Speaking at the JD(S) membership registration and booth committee formation campaign, Kumaraswamy highlighted that Siddaramaiah had risen to prominence through the efforts of JD(S) workers but abandoned them once he gained power.

Kumaraswamy also stated that several current Congress ministers, along with some BJP leaders, were once part of JD(S), reinforcing the idea that the party creates leaders.

Referring to the rumors about Siddaramaiah’s resignation after Dasara, Kumaraswamy said that the matter is entirely internal to the Congress.

He further criticized the government’s lack of attention to the problems of the poor, citing the case of an Anganwadi worker who attempted suicide due to non-payment of her stipend for three months.