Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy

MANDYA: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy virtually launched a poll campaign here on Tuesday, by stating that his father, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, was in the race for the prime pinister's post and that he (HDK) will not cede the Mandya Lok Sabha seat to Sumalatha , wife of actor-politician MH Ambareesh at any cost.

"There atmosphere across the nation is conducive for a Kannadiga to become the PM," Kumaraswamy said while inaugurating Rs 5,000-crore worth development projects in Mandya district. "If the people vote for the JD(S)-Congress alliance and help it win 20 to 22 seats (of the total 28 seats in Karnataka ), a Kannadiga will ascend the PM's chair. The political situation is similar to what it was in 1996."

The event was also converted into a launch pad for HDK's son Nikhil, as JD(S) leaders appealed to the audience to vote for the younger Kumaraswamy. Incidentally, these political speeches were made from a platform where government programmes were being launched.

LR Shivarame Gowda, sitting Mandya MP from the JD(S), said he will not be disappointed if the ticket is denied to him in the forthcoming elections. He said he would work for Nikhil's success.

Referring to escalating tension between India and Pakistan, Kumaraswamy said when his father was the PM no such terror incidents and border escalations ever happened.

