Smarting Nikhil blames ‘particular community’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

JD(S) candidate from Channapatna Nikhil Kumaraswamy blamed his defeat to Congressman CP Yogeshwar on a “particular community”. The actor-turned politician lost to Yogeshwar – now a six-time Channapatna MLA – by 25,413 votes. He made the comments outside the residence of JD(S) patriarch HD Devegowda in Bengaluru’s Padmanabhanagar on Saturday. “It is evident that the votes of a particular community have largely gone to Congress. The JD(S) has always stood for the welfare of this community, and Devegowda himself ensured reservations for them. Despite our contributions, they didn’t vote for us.

I don’t wish to comment further on this matter,” Nikhil told media persons. This is Nikhil’s third loss after his defeat in the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 2019 and from Ramanagar Assembly seat in 2023. He was evidently referring to the Muslim community who are said to have abandoned JD(S) in large numbers in favour of the Congress. The election was characterized by a reorientation as many Muslims, who had helped elect HD Kumaraswamy as the Channapatna MLA in 2018 and 2023 appear to have switched to Congress this time. He had contested on the BJP symbol both times. However, the Kumaraswamy- led JD(S) tied up with the BJP in September 2023. This caused distrust among Muslim voters as the saffron party is seen as hostile to the community. Some of Kumaraswamy’s comments about not wanting Muslim votes were played up by the likes of Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed during the campaign.

Zameer breathes easy: In highlighting the JD(S) bigwig’s comments, Zameer landed himself in trouble for referring to Kumaraswamy derisively as “kaala” (black) in a speech in Channapatna but can now rest easy since Congress won the seat. “I said in Mangaluru that we would win in Channapatna by more than 18,000 votes. We were confident that we would win all three seats and the people have ensured that we did,” Zameer told mediapersons. Referring to his remarks on Kumaraswamy’s skin tone, he said: “This is not the first time I said it. I’d done so during the Lok Sabha elections. I’d said it in the Basava Kalyana by-election. I have been saying it. This time, it was highlighted in the media. Even I felt I shouldn’t have said it.” Zameer had apologised to Kumaraswamy over the issue.

Muslims are the second most populous community in the Channapatna seat, accounting for some 14.28 per cent and upwards of 35,000 votes. However, the constituency is dominated by the landed Vokkaliga caste who account for 59 per cent and over 1,37,000 voters. Notably, both Yogeshwar and Nikhil are Vokkaligas. The by-poll was necessitated by Kumaraswamy tendering his resignation as Channapatna MLA in June after getting elected as the Mandya MP. He had contested on the BJP high command’s insistence and was rewarded with the coveted Heavy Industries portfolio for the same. However, differences cropped up between him and Yogeshwar later on. The latter eventually quit as BJP MLC, joined Congress and became their Channapatna candidate.