From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 30: Campaigning for his son Nikhil, the JDS-BJP candidate in the Channapatna assembly bypoll, union minister and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday claimed that he was the main target for the Congress, while his son is just a candidate.

Speaking to the media in Channapatna, Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of hatching a major conspiracy to defeat his son in the upcoming by-elections with the ultimate aim of undermining his political influence. "They cannot tolerate my position as a union minister and are intent on eliminating me politically," he said, adding, "Nikhil may be in the fray, but I am the bigger target for them."

Expressing confidence that the people of Channapatna would repose their faith in Nikhil, Kumaraswamy said the Congress party was determined to defeat his son. He highlighted grievances shared by women from minority communities, assuring them of his support. Kumaraswamy also alleged that the Congress party was distributing gift coupons in Channapatna to sway voters and urged them not to be misled by such deceptive tactics, emphasizing the importance of resisting fraudulent practices by the Congress.

Ashok predicts big win for Nikhil

Meanwhile, BJP opposition leader R Ashok, who campaigned for the JDS-BJP candidate against party turncoat C P Yogeshwar, now contesting on a Congress ticket, said Nikhil Kumaraswamy would achieve a big victory, assured of committed voters from both parties.

The BJP leader claimed that the deputy chief minister wanted to enter the fray from the Congress party and made repeated visits promising to undertake developmental works but developed cold feet, leaving the party to rely on a BJP leader as its candidate.

Ashok also criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not visiting Channapatna or Ramanagar even once in the past 16 months.