Revathi Kumaraswamy campaigns for husband Nikhil in Channapatna bypolls

CHANNAPATNA: Revathi Nikhil, wife of NDA candidate for the Channapatna bypoll, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, campaigned on his behalf in Channapatna town on Monday. Around 9 am, she appealed to voters near the town’s bus stand and nearby degree college, urging them to support her husband.

According to an official statement, “During her outreach, Revathi engaged with passengers, students and local residents, distributing flyers and requesting votes for the NDA candidate. She took time to speak with students, asking about their studies and listening to their concerns. Many students were thrilled to take selfies with her, expressing appreciation for her friendliness”.

The statement, quoting a degree student, said, “This election will surely bring victory for Nikhil Anna. He will represent Channapatna as an MLA in the Assembly. There’s no need for worry; the entire youth community stands behind Nikhil Anna”.

Revathi expressed gratitude for the love and support shown by the students and the public. She was accompanied by Rashmi Ramegowda, the state president of the women’s wing of Janata Dal (Secular), along with several leaders from the JDS women’s unit, enhancing the campaign’s visibility and support in the area.

ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯ ಅಣಿಗೆರೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಚ್‌. ಬ್ಯಾಡರಹಳ್ಳಿ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ #NDA ಮೈತ್ರಿ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿ ಶ್ರೀ @Nikhil_Kumar_k ಅವರು ಗ್ರಾಮಸ್ಥರ ಬಳಿ ಮತಯಾಚಿಸಿದರು.

ಈ ವೇಳೆ @JanataDal_S ಮತ್ತು @BJP4Karnataka ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಮುಖಂಡರು ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತರು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು. #NDA #JDS #BJP… pic.twitter.com/baYO0VJTZD

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) November 4, 2024

On Sunday, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy launched a scathing attack on Congress candidate C P Yogeshwar ahead of the high-stakes by-election for the Channapatna assembly seat, questioning how the Congress candidate could develop the entire constituency when he has failed to develop his own hometown of Chekkere.

Speaking at a campaign rally for NDA candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Chekkere, Kumaraswamy said, “You have all seen how they have kept the village where they were born. Look at the development we have done. Everything is visible before the eyes of the people”.

He recalled that the same Congress candidate had previously criticized the D K brothers, but is now allied with them. “They call me an outsider to Ramanagara. Yes, I was born in Hassan, but I was raised by the people of Ramanagara district. In the end, I will return to this soil”, Kumaraswamy stated emotionally.

Questioning the Congress candidate’s record, he asked what Yogeshwar has accomplished as an MLA over the past 20 years. “The records are there, check them. You can see what I have achieved in five years right before your eyes. Conduct this election without fear. After this election, who knows where the current Congress candidate will go? They distributed coupons to secure votes in Ramanagara, and they are trying the same tactics in Channapatna. I urge everyone to vote carefully,” he advised.

Kumaraswamy also mentioned that young people in Chekkere village have formed a team to work toward Nikhil’s victory. “This election has already shown dramatic developments,” he said. “The Congress candidate from your village has defected. We have done more development here than they have. In the last Lok Sabha election, I was compelled to contest in Mandya under pressure from the people, and I won by their blessings. I had to resign from Channapatna due to this obligation”, he explained.

Kumaraswamy further said he asked the village leader to be a candidate and encouraged him to work with JD(S) party workers. “Yet, they acted in deceitful ways. We even suggested they contest on a JD(S) ticket, but after being insistent on joining the BJP, they turned around and joined Congress without consulting us, deceiving BJP leaders along the way. Now they are spreading false information about me in this election,” he expressed.

For Kumaraswamy’s campaign, several state BJP leaders extended their support, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. CN Ashwathnarayan, former Minister CT Ravi, MP Dr Manjunath, and BJP District President Huluvedi Ramesh. This is the third electoral battle for Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who was defeated in 2019 in the Mandya lok Sabha election against BJP-backed Independnt candidate Sumalatha Ambarish and also in the Ramanagara assembly polls in 2024.

The seat was earlier held by HD Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy, who had given up the seat in favour of her son. Nikhil is up against CP Yogeshwara who recently switched sides from the BJP to the Congress. Notably, HD Kumaraswamy (HDK) defeated Yogeeshwara in the 2018 and 2023 assembly polls from the seat. The seat fell vacant after HDK won from the Mandya parliamentary segment in the last Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)