Karnataka assembly elections: Won’t contest from two seats, says HD Kumaraswamy

MYSURU: Taking a dig at bitter rival Siddaramaiah, JD(S) second-in-command and former CM, HD Kumaraswamy said unlike the Congress Legislature Party leader who is still scouting for a safe seat, his rivals cannot pin him down to any single constituency and that he will win from whichever seat he contests from.
In the same breath, Kumaraswamy said he will contest only from Channapatna, the seat he currently represents. In 2018, he contested and won from both Ramanagara and Channapatna, eventually relinquishing Ramanagara. His wife, Anita, won the byelection.
Wondering how Siddaramaiah can lead Congress in the elections when he cannot settle on a seat to contest from, he said he is “sympathetic” to theopposition leader’s plight but accused him of using the high command’s name to withdraw from contesting from Kolar. He said JD(S) will retain Kolar.
He refused to speak on the Urigowda-Nanjegowda issue, pointing out that it has been “settled” by Adichunchanagiri seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami and dismissed Congress’ poll promises, saying they “lack substance”.
He also said the party’s Pancharatna Yatre — which he is leading — covers about 100km a day and that it will culminate at Uttanahalli, at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. He said the rally will be attended by “10 lakh people”.
Asserting that his party is well-prepared to face assembly elections, he said JD(S) is aiming for a majority on its own. He said this will insulate the party from “pressure politics”.