From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 20: KPCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s brother D K Suresh, who had failed to retain his Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat against Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law Dr C N Manjunath, has hinted at entering the electorl fray from the Channapatna Assembly constituency by pointing out that he was under “enormous pressure” and will abide by the party’s decision.

The by-election to Channapatna constituency is necessitated by JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy’s resignation upon being elected from Mandya district after his party joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil, who had lost from Mandya in 2019 Lok Sabha parliamentary election and later from Ramanagara assembly seat in 2023, or Nikhil’s mother, Anita Kumaraswamy are tipped to become the JD(S)-BJP alliance candidate. The BJP has already announced candidates for Sandur in Ballari district and Shiggaon in Haveri district but left Channapatna to the decision of Kumaraswamy, who is now the Union Heavy
Industry Minister.

D K Suresh, who had all along held that he was not interested in contesting from Channapatna in the by-election on the plea that he has been given “rest” by the voters of Bengaluru Rural despite his work for them, told media persons near his residence that he was “under enormous pressure” to contest and will abide by the decision of AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Central leaders.

“I am more interested in working as an ordinary party worker than as a candidate,” he said making it clear that he would abide by the decision of the party high command to be taken within the next “two to three days,” he said.

The former MP asserted that he was “not interested in power” and would abide by the party’s decision “as a disciplined soldier.” “I would place my views before the party leaders,” he said pointing out that he had already informed leaders of Channaptana of his decision.

Suresh said the chief minister was likely to discuss with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge today or on Monday. Shivakumar has taken the Channapatna bypoll very seriously and has beenvisiting the constituency frequently soon after the Lok Sabha poll. He is obviously keen wresting the seat from JD(S).

Incidentally, BJP MLC C P Yogeshwar, who had won the seat five times before he lost to Kumaraswamy, is bent upon contesting even as an independent ifhe is not given the ticket.

“The Congress party is necessary for me. But I am not that important. I will follow the directions of the party high command,” he said indicating that there was time till Friday, the last day for filing nominations, to take a decision.

Asked if Kumaraswamy is hesitating to field his son Nikhil from Channapatna, he said: “It is their party’s decision and you must ask him. But we are not bothered by what JD(S) decides.”

Suresh said Kumaraswamy’s statement that Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah will not last till 2028 need not be taken seriously. “He says something in the morning and says something else in the evening. It is nothing but entertainment,” he said.

The Congress leader said Kumaraswamy will not last as Union Minister for five years. “He will lose his position in six months or in an year,” he added.