D K Shivakumar rules out contesting in Channapatna bypoll
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday ruled out contesting in the Channapatna bypoll. He even wondered aloud why there would be bye-elections in Kanakapura assembly segment from where he is an MLA.
Two days ago, Shivakumar said, «A significant change in my political career happened from Channapatna. I have come to Anjaneya temple in Kengal to start a new chapter in my political career.»
This gave rise to speculations that he was willing to contest from Channapatna assembly segment, which fell vacant after MLA H D Kumaraswamy won the Mandya Lok Sabha election. BJP MLA and former minister S Suresh Kumar called the purported 'bypoll in Kanakapura' a 'Tughlaq like decision' and wastage of public money.
«Why will there be any bye-election in Kanakapura? I am an MLA from Kanakapura and the state president of my party (Congress). There is a responsibility on me. This is my region and I am a leader there,» Shivakumar told reporters on Friday. «Me and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lead the elections (in Channapatna),» he added.
Explaining further, Shivakumar said he has only asked people there to support him. «I am from that district (Ramanagara). I have asked the voters there to give us strength… They will favour us if they trust us,» the DCM said. Commenting on those who criticised him, Shivakumar said, «Those who are writing obituary of my political career should know that there is a bigger power behind me, which is people's power.»
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