Party leaders pressuring me to contest: Nikhil

Preparations have begun to field Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, as the JD(S) candidate from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency for the Lok Sabha election.

According to sources in Mandya, Nikhil himself has expressed wish to contest at the party leaders’ meeting here on Tuesday. Nikhil has visited the district around eight times in the past month. On Tuesday, he participated in the inauguration of a paddy procurement centre in Mandya, which is a government programme, and performed puja, though he is not an elected representative.

Later, he participated in a meeting held at the tourist bungalow, attended by Transport Minister D C Thammanna, Minor Irrigation Minister C S Puttaraju, and other legislators. The meeting also decided the date of Nikhil’s district tour, said a leader. Speaking after the meeting, Nikhil said, “The party leaders and fans are exerting pressue me to contest the Lok Sabha polls. But I am not sure about future prediction.”