Here's why DK Shivakumar wants to contest from JD(S) stronghold Channapatna in by-election
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, has sparked speculation by indicating his interest in contesting the upcoming Assembly bypoll from the seat vacated by H D Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular).
During a recent visit to Channapatna, Shivakumar expressed a sentimental attachment to the constituency, citing it as the starting point of his political career. He emphasized the potential for development in Channapatna, akin to his efforts in Kanakapura, his current stronghold.
“Channapatna is in my heart. It was part of the erstwhile Sathanur Assembly constituency that I represented. My political career actually started there. The people of Channaptna have been with me in tough times and I have a debt to repay,” he said.
“There is an opportunity to develop Channapatna in the same way I have developed Kanakapura (his current constituency). I am discussing with the local leaders and voters, and will make a decision on contesting later,” Shivakumar added.
The move is seen as a strategic bid to regain political ground within the Vokkaliga community, traditionally aligned with the JD(S), and to bolster his aspirations for the Chief Minister’s post.
Shivakumar suffered a personal loss, with his brother DK Suresh losing from the family bastion of Bengaluru Rural to Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law C N Manjunath who contested on a BJP ticket.
The announcement comes in the wake of electoral setbacks for the Congress in Karnataka.
Shivakumar's political fortunes soared last year when he led the Congress to a decisive victory in the Assembly elections. The party secured 39 out of 61 seats in the Vokkaliga stronghold of south Karnataka, notably capturing six of seven seats in Mandya. This marked a significant increase from the 17 seats won in the region in 2018.
However, within 18 months, setbacks followed in the Lok Sabha elections. Out of 14 seats in south Karnataka, the Congress managed to retain only one in Hassan. This contrasted sharply with the 2019 elections when the party had held Bengaluru Rural. The results showed the emergence of a formidable JD(S)-BJP coalition as a counterbalance to the Congress in Karnataka.
The recent electoral losses in south Karnataka are seen as bolstering Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's position while weakening Shivakumar's influence. This development has boosted the spirits of several Congress leaders eyeing deputy chief minister or even chief ministerial roles if Siddaramaiah were to step down prematurely.
Looking ahead, Shivakumar's strategy, pending approval from the Congress high command, may involve contesting himself or backing Suresh in Channapatna. Shivakumar might vacate the secure seat of Kanakapura for his brother if he finds success in the by-election.
The JD(S) is reported to be considering fielding Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil in a third attempt at electoral success while the BJP’s front-runner is former minister C P Yogeshwar, a local strongman whom Kumaraswamy defeated in 2023 and in the past has joined hands with Shivakumar to defeat JD(S) candidates in the region.
After Shivakumar’s remarks, Kumaraswamy said, “The Deputy CM who has not stepped into Channapatna even once since coming to power has developed a sudden fondness for the region. He is talking about the development of Channapatna. People will decide about their love for Channapatna.”
Yogeshwar, who is now an MLC, said, “He (Shivakumar) is embarking on an impossible mission by trying to win Channapatna to become the CM. He can begin a new phase in his political career from Channapatna or his career could end in Channapatna as well. Let him contest. He is now the Deputy CM of the state. He is in the evening of his political career. He knows it. He has seen many ups and downs in his political career.”
Responding to the BJP leader, Shivakumar said people would decide if he was nearing the end of his political career or not. “I am from the region, I have asked the voters for support, I have asked them to strengthen me. I am not forcing them. They will support me if they have confidence in me,” he said.
Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur will also be witnessing bypolls on account of the Lok Sabha victories of their sitting MLAs Basavaraj Bommai and Congress leader E Tukaram, respectively.
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In rare gesture, PM Modi receives Amir of Qatar at airport
New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday went to the airport to receive Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on a two-day a visit to India this evening.
The Amir is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Modi on Tuesday.
His visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015, the MEA earlier said.
India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen.
