PTI

Bangalore, Dec 29: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy said on Friday he would head his party's campaign in the coming assembly elections despite undergoing an open heart surgery.

Seeking to dispel any doubts among his partymen about his ability to lead the party's poll campaign following the surgery, Kumaraswamy, who would be discharged from the hospital tomorrow, said he would not only lead the party but also return it to power.

"The coming elections will be fought under my leadership with advise from senior leaders. I will form the government with majority support," Kumaraswamy said at a conference, which was the first after he underwent a valve replacement surgery eight days ago.

"In one month, I will regain the energy of a 20-year-old youth and engage myself in building the party," 49-year-old Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister and JDS chief Deve Gowda, said.

He, however, said he cannot take up hectic schedules as he did earlier when he was the chief minister and has to follow certain discipline after the surgery.

Kumaraswamy thanked Vivek Jawali, who operated upon him, and other staff of the private hospital for the treatment.

Later, Jawali said the former Chief Minister is doing fine and can return to his hectic political life after a month's rest. He would be discharged tomorrow, he added.