Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said he would contest from Chikballapur Lok Sabha constituency. He announced his decision during a convention of JD(S) workers held in Chikballapur.
Kumaraswamy would take on Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily of Congress and former state minister B N Bachche Gowda of BJP. He told Express that he would consult his followers and important leaders of Ramanagaram Assembly constituency on Friday to get their opinion on his candidature from Chikballapur constituency.
“I am confident that my supporters will give me permission to contest. I have clearly told party workers of eight Assembly constituencies in Chikballapur that I may not be able to spend much time for campaign as I will have to tour all the 28 constituencies where JD(S) candidates are contesting”, he added.
Kumaraswamy said it was inevitable for him to contest Lok Sabha polls to win maximum number of seats for the party.
“In fact, I wanted to spend more time in the State to strengthen JD(S). But there was pressure from the party workers to contest. Respecting their sentiments, I have agreed to contest,” he added.
Earlier, addressing the convention, Kumaraswamy said he did not want to give any chance to Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and his brother to claim that they are the reason for him to contest from Chikballapur as they are powerful in Bangalore Rural. On Yettinahole Project, he said Moily laid the foundation stone for the project with the intention of scoring political points.
“Congress has been spreading rumours that JD(S) demanded money from Union Ministers K H Muniyappa and Moily to support them in the elections. This is a baseless allegation spread with the intention of tarnishing the image of the party. JD(S) wants to win both Kolar and Chikballapur,” Kumaraswamy said.
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