HDK hints at larger role for Nikhil Kumaraswamy, says he will tour State after Sankranti

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy hints at entrusting son Nikhil with larger party responsibilities after recent setbacks.

Hinting at entrusting his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy with larger responsibilities in the party, Union Minister and JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said the latter would tour the State and focus on strengthening the party after Sankranti.

The Channapatna byelection debacle for 36-year-old actor-politician Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy was the third setback in a row in five years. He lost the Lok Sabha election from Mandya in 2019 and the Assembly election from Ramanagara in 2023.

Speaking to media persons participating in a meeting organised by the party to express its gratitude to the people of Channapatna, the Union Minister said although his son had lost, the enthusiasm among party workers was more than that of victory.

“Our party workers want Nikhil to focus on Channapatna and prepare for the next Assembly election. While he will continue to work for the people of Channapatna, his responsibility will further go up now onwards,” he said.

Stating that he is busy in his capacity as the Union Minister and also in the context of his health issues, Mr. Kumaraswamy said his son would tour the entire State and strengthen the party in consultation with our senior party leaders.

“Our legislators and former legislators, who showed their unity in the recent byelections, will continue to work for strengthening the party. Nikhil will work in consultation with our senior leaders,” he added.

He also vowed that the JD(S) would win all four Assembly seats in Ramanagara district in the next elections and Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy himself would win by a margin of 25,000 votes from Channapatna.