Bengaluru: The JD (S) leadership announced on Saturday December 17 that Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the party’s youth wing president and the son of former Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, will run for Assembly polls from Ramanagara.
The wife of Kumaraswamy, Anitha Kumaraswamy, now represents the Ramanagara segment.
Nikhil, a 32-year-old actor-turned-politician and the grandson of the former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, had previously informed Kumaraswamy that he would not be running in the Assembly elections earlier in July. Kumaraswamy noted that Nikhil would work for the party’s success in several other constituencies.
Anitha named Nikhil as her successor in the constituency during the regional party’s “Pancha Ratna Yatre” (Statewide tour), which was led by Kumaraswamy, in Ramanagara. She also announced that she will give up her seat to Nikhil.
“Nikhil is running for election from Ramanagara. I have faith that the people of this district will show him their love and support,” she said.
“There were people trying to spread the fake message. I’m asking voters to support Nikhil the same way they welcomed Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy, and myself. I have declared Nikhil’s candidacy to put an end to all that,” she remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, Kumaraswamy, who represents the neighbouring Channapatna segment, claimed Anitha had not informed him of her plan to declare Nikhil’s candidacy.
“I’m putting Nikhil on your lap, voters. Now, you resemble his parents. He must gain your trust in him as a son. You (the voters) should not fall victim to any conspiracy-based politics at any cost. Empowering him will empower you,” he added.
