RAMANAGARA (KARNATAKA): While the primary focus for the Karnataka assembly election remained on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, it will be tough to discount the Janata Dal (Secular), for they could play the role of a โkingmakerโ.
However, in an exclusive interview with The New Indian, former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy expressed confidence that this time he will not play a kingmaker but will become the king itself.
โThis time the people had already decided to bless JD(S) to clear the majority. This time, the role of kingmaker might not be there, only the kingโs position will be decided by the citizens of Karnataka,โ Kumaraswamy told The New Indian.
While PM Narendra Modi shares a cordial relationship with JD(S) patriarch and former Prime minister HD Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy said, โThis time there is no question of aligning with anyone. This time the people are going to bless the regional party, according to me.โ
โPeople are fed up with the national party. Thatโs why I am telling you, that situation (choosing between Congress and BJP) will not arise.,โ he said. โMy focus is to reach 123 seats on our own. In fact, I am working to achieve that goal,โ Kumaraswamy said while expressing confidence that his party will reach the magical figure.
The election also holds significance to the Kumaraswamy family, as Kumaraswamyโs son, and HD Deve Gowdaโs grandson, Nikhil, also joined the political cesspool as he will be contesting from Ramnagara.
After suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Nikhil, an actor by profession, is all set to try his luck in the family stronghold. โThe entire population of Ramanagaram has been with Janata Dal for the past 25 years. They are with Deve Gowda.โ
Ramanagara propelled Deve Gowda to ascend to the coveted position of CM in 1994. Kumaraswamy won the seat in 2004, 2008 and 2013, while in 2018, it was his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy who won the seat.
Karnataka will vote for the new legislative assembly on May 10, whose results will be declared on May 13.
