Daijiworld Media Network - Mandya (SP)
Mandya, Aug 3: In all likelihood, JD(S) will field Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who was defeated in Mandya Lok Sabha constituency by Sumalatha Ambareesh recently, as its candidate from K R Pet constituency in the district.
This possibility is being actively being discussed within the party circles now. JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, who has given a call to prepare for the coming bypoll for the constituencies vacated by disqualified legislators, is also supporting the candidature of his grandson, party sources revealed.
This constituency was represented by JD(S) MLA Narayana Gowda before he changed loyalties and got disqualified. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, has scheduled a meeting of party workers on Saturday afternoon at K R Pet, and Nikhil's nomination may be announced at the end of this meeting.
The future of Narayana Gowda is uncertain and at this stage, it is not known whether he would be eligible fight the election again if bypoll is held. However, Deve Gowda has begun preparations with the firm belief that bypoll is round the corner. He has begun the exercise to strengthen the party in a constituency where his party has a stronghold. If Nikhil represents this constituency, it would mean that three from the family will be representing constituencies located within a radius of a hundred kilometres. Nikhil's father, Kumaraswamy, is representing Channapatna constituency, while mother, Anita Kumaraswamy, was elected from Ramanagara.
Deve Gowda, who participated in a meeting of party leaders and workers at J P Bhavan here on Friday, collected opinions of the participants about Nikhil's candidature.