HD Kumaraswamy’s actor-son Nikhil may contest from Mandya segment
TNN | Mar 4, 2019, 09:14 IST
Nikhil KumaraswamyMANGALURU/SHIVAMOGGA: It is more or less official: the third generation of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s family will enter electoral politics. Prajwal Revanna, son of PWD minister HD Revanna, is set to contest Lok Sabha polls from Hassan and Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, from Mandya.
While Gowda has admitted he will vacate the Hassan seat — where he is the incumbent MP — for grandson Prajwal, on Sunday, the JD(S) supremo announced his other grandson Nikhil’s candidature. “It is true that I have also agreed to it (Mandya seat). Nikhil is an aspirant for Mandya seat,” Gowda said in Mangaluru.
Claiming that both Prajwal and Nikhil will contest “on their own popularity” and were not forced into politics by him or his sons, Gowda said: “I wanted Prajwal to pursue higher education. However, he has immersed himself in politics over the past few elections. So I discussed the matter (of Prajwal contesting) with leaders in Hassan. Similarly, we did not force Nikhil into politics. He is engaged in the film industry and has glamour too. However, he was active during election campaigns in Mandya and people have also been requesting him to contest.”
With Nikhil and Prajwal, six Gowda family members will be in active politics: including Deve Gowda, sons HD Kumaraswamy and HD Revanna and Kumaraswamy’s wife Anitha. Revanna’s wife Bhavani is a member of the Hassan zilla panchayat.
The CM echoed his father’s views and confirmed that his son would contest from Mandya. “If Nikhil contests, it will be only from Mandya,” he said. “The people of Mandya have backed JD(S) and did not let us down even in our worst phase. We owe a great debt to the district. I realise this and assure Mandya that JD(S) will not desert the seat for Congress.”
Dismissing criticism of JD(S) being an “appa-makkalu” (fathersons) party, the CM said his entire family had entered politics by way of fighting for people’s rights. “Doctors’ children become doctors, children of IAS officers join the bureaucratic service,” he said. “What’s wrong if children of politicians joining politics? Both Prajwal and Nikhil are interested in politics. They have to go to the people to get elected. There is no room for backdoor entry.”
Even as the official word is awaited, tourism minister SR Mahesh, who represents KR Nagar assembly constituency which forms part of the Mandya LS constituency, said Nikhil would be the JD(S)-Congress coalition candidate from Mandya. Mahesh, a close associate of the CM, said a decision had been taken: “Nikhil will be the party candidate.”
In the recent 2018 byelection, LR Shivaramegowda was elected MP from Mandya constituency on a JD(S) ticket.
While Gowda has admitted he will vacate the Hassan seat — where he is the incumbent MP — for grandson Prajwal, on Sunday, the JD(S) supremo announced his other grandson Nikhil’s candidature. “It is true that I have also agreed to it (Mandya seat). Nikhil is an aspirant for Mandya seat,” Gowda said in Mangaluru.
Claiming that both Prajwal and Nikhil will contest “on their own popularity” and were not forced into politics by him or his sons, Gowda said: “I wanted Prajwal to pursue higher education. However, he has immersed himself in politics over the past few elections. So I discussed the matter (of Prajwal contesting) with leaders in Hassan. Similarly, we did not force Nikhil into politics. He is engaged in the film industry and has glamour too. However, he was active during election campaigns in Mandya and people have also been requesting him to contest.”
With Nikhil and Prajwal, six Gowda family members will be in active politics: including Deve Gowda, sons HD Kumaraswamy and HD Revanna and Kumaraswamy’s wife Anitha. Revanna’s wife Bhavani is a member of the Hassan zilla panchayat.
The CM echoed his father’s views and confirmed that his son would contest from Mandya. “If Nikhil contests, it will be only from Mandya,” he said. “The people of Mandya have backed JD(S) and did not let us down even in our worst phase. We owe a great debt to the district. I realise this and assure Mandya that JD(S) will not desert the seat for Congress.”
Dismissing criticism of JD(S) being an “appa-makkalu” (fathersons) party, the CM said his entire family had entered politics by way of fighting for people’s rights. “Doctors’ children become doctors, children of IAS officers join the bureaucratic service,” he said. “What’s wrong if children of politicians joining politics? Both Prajwal and Nikhil are interested in politics. They have to go to the people to get elected. There is no room for backdoor entry.”
Even as the official word is awaited, tourism minister SR Mahesh, who represents KR Nagar assembly constituency which forms part of the Mandya LS constituency, said Nikhil would be the JD(S)-Congress coalition candidate from Mandya. Mahesh, a close associate of the CM, said a decision had been taken: “Nikhil will be the party candidate.”
In the recent 2018 byelection, LR Shivaramegowda was elected MP from Mandya constituency on a JD(S) ticket.
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
City
Former IB official Yogeshwari Katyan Tripathi to become Kinnar Akhara's second non-transgender seer01:36- MLA loses cool on being questioned by villager, spews venom02:34
- Bulandshahr riots: UP police files chargesheet, 5 charged with murder01:11
- In insult to Handwara martyr, no govt officials present during homage to mortal remains02:01
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE