H D Deve Gowda hints at Nikhil Kumaraswamy taking over as JD(S) Karnataka president

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, who is also the national president of JD(S), on Saturday hinted that JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy could be made the party’s Karnataka state unit president.

“At present, Kumaraswamy (Nikhil’s father and Gowda’s son) is looking after the party affairs. Since he is also a union minister, he is not able to concentrate on the party’s affairs completely. In the future, Nikhil may take the responsibility of the party,” Gowda told reporters here.

“Nikhil is a youth leader and has a bright future. He has knowledge too. We will give more responsibility to him and strengthen the party from the grassroots level under his leadership,” he said.

To a question on Nikhil losing the elections, he said, “Winning and becoming an MLA or MP is not the only criteria for the party president. Winning and losing is a part of the democratic system. There is no end to political life as it’s common to lose elections in a democracy,” he said.

For the past two weeks, Nikhil has been meeting several union ministers raising various state issues. He also met BJP national general secretary (in charge of Karnataka) Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to discuss the continuation of the JD(S)-BJP alliance in the upcoming panchayat polls in Karnataka.

Nikhil also announced he is scheduled to meet Home Minister Amit Shah next week to discuss Karnataka politics.

To a question on CM Siddaramaiah seeking his retirement from politics at the recent Janakalyana convention of the Congress in Hassan, Gowda said, “Several people tried to finish me earlier. However, I am still alive.”

“Ups and downs are common in politics. It is not the end of the world if a man loses elections. Several people are threatening to finish the Deve Gowda family politically in Hassan district. People of Hassan know what is the contribution of Deve Gowda’s family,” he said.

“Just because one party came to power with a majority, their leaders should not mock political opponents,” Gowda remarked. “Siddaramaiah is free to make comments against me and my family. But, as CM, he must maintain dignity while addressing public rallies,” he said.