Speculation over Nikhil Kumaraswamy contesting Channapatna bypoll if father wins LS polls

RAMANAGARA: With former CM and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy in fray for the Lok Sabha polls from Mandya, his son and party youth wing leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy may contest the bypolls from Channapatna if the former wins, it is being speculated.

Kumaraswamy submitted his nomination papers as the JD(S) candidate from the Mandya parliamentary constituency on Thursday. He was accompanied by senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others.

Making an emotional speech at the BJP-JD(S) alliance convention in Mandya on Thursday evening, Nikhil recalled how he had lost the 2023 Assembly election from Ramanagara. “They (Congress) distributed gift coupons and won by deceit. They also cheated the people. I will, however, not forget the people of Ramanagara”, he said.

This is being seen as a hint that he may contest the bypoll from Channapatna which will be vacated by his father Kumaraswamy if he win the Lok Sabha polls.