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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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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