Pressure mounts on HDK to field JD(S) candidate from Channapatna

Bengaluru / Ramanagara, NT Bureau: Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Steel and Public Enterprises HD Kumaraswamy held a meeting with workers from Channapatna taluk in Ramanagara district to discuss the upcoming by-polls even as pressure grew on the two-time chief minister to ensure that the constituency stayed with the party.

Kumaraswamy, who is also the JD(S) state president, held the meeting at his JP Nagar residence in Bengaluru. The Union Minister said that he had asked party workers to consult with BJP MLC CP Yogeshwar before taking a call on the candidacy.

“Prominent leaders should meet former minister CP Yogeshwar in person and discuss freely as to what must happen,” Kumaraswamy told JD(S) workers from Channapatna.

“Yogeshwar must be taken into confidence on all levels and his guidance must be sought,” he added, emphasizing unity between the BJP and JD(S).

The seat had been held by Kumaraswamy, who had to vacate it after he won from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency and then went on to land a berth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet. Kumaraswamy had unseated Yogeshwar from Channapatna in the 2018 Assembly election and then retained the seat in 2023.

Moreover, Yogeshwar held Channapatna five times and retains significant support in the segment. He is said to be lobbying for the ticket for the seat. It is understood that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners will field a joint candidate.

JD(S) Karnataka Youth Wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy has emerged as an option to contest from Channapatna. However, he has a losing track record in elections, facing defeat in party stronghold Ramanagara in the 2023 Assembly polls and the Mandya Lok Sabha seat back in 2019.

Party patriarch HD Devegowda’s daughter Anusuya has emerged as another name for the Channapatna candidacy. She is also wife to newlyelected BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bangalore Rural Dr CN Manjunath.