HD Kumuraswamy on son Nikhil’s bypoll loss: Deve Gowda’s family are not cowards

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday took full responsibility for his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s defeat in the recent by-elections. Addressing a gathering of JD(S) and BJP workers in Channapatna, Kumaraswamy defended his family’s political legacy, declaring, “Deve Gowda’s family are not cowards. Nikhil is a warrior.”
During the meeting, Kumaraswamy thanked the JD(S) and BJP workers for supporting Nikhil and vowed a strong comeback for his party in the region. “Those claiming JD(S) has been wiped out of Ramanagara will see a strong rebuttal in the next election. JD(S) will win all four constituencies in the district. In Channapatna, we will secure a lead of 25,000 votes,” he pledged.
Turning his ire towards Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy criticised the Congress government’s track record with marginalised communities. “He organises AHINDA conventions, but what has he truly done for these communities in 17 months? Funds meant for their welfare are being looted. This is not an achievement,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also accused the Congress government of corruption, citing irregularities in Mandya’s excise department, where bribes ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh were allegedly demanded. He further alleged that funds meant for Valmiki Corporation and the Bovi community were misused under Siddaramaiah’s administration.
Challenging the Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy questioned Siddaramaiah’s contributions to marginalised groups during his two terms in office. “What has he done for their welfare? Let him answer this in his speeches,” the Union Minister asserted.