Mandya: Flustered CM seeks DKS intervention

Unnerved by the growing public outrage against his party’s dynasty politics - especially his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s candidature from Mandya, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has sought Congress’ troubleshooter D K Shivakumar to intervene and take stock of the recent political developments in Mandya.

Accordingly, Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio in Kumaraswamy’s Cabinet, has convened a meeting of the Mandya district Congress office-bearers and defeated candidates in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Sunday at 5 pm.

Shivakumar has been solicited by both Kumaraswamy and his father and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda to intercede and pacify the local Congress leaders, who have continued to oppose the party’s decision to cede the Mandya seat to the JD(S).

Ever since actor Sumalatha Ambareesh’s entry into the fray, the JD(S) leadership has gone into panic mode. Anticipating a tough contest for his son Nikhil, who will be making his electoral debut, Kumaraswamy recently held a meeting with Mandya JD(S) leaders to understand the ground situation.

Not only has Nikhil been targeted by trolls on social media, but his candidature has also been opposed by the local JD(S) leaders. The JD(S) is also caught on the back foot following the disparaging and sexist remarks against Sumalatha by its leaders including ministers D C Thammanna and H D Revanna. The JD-S’ bullish attitude has, in fact, turned out to be counterproductive for Nikhil. Sumalatha, on the other hand, is earning more goodwill than she had anticipated.

Some of the JD(S) leaders that DH spoke to, are now saying that Nikhil stands a “60%” chance of winning the election. Sumalatha’s growing popularity was palpable during her first round of campaigning. It has become more than apparent that the local leaders and workers will extend their support to Sumalatha and not Nikhil. It is said, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah is covertly backing Sumalatha’s candidature.