Newly-appointed president of the youth wing of the Karnataka JD(S) Nikhil Kumaraswamy thanked his grandfather HD Deve Gowda and promised to be a party worker “first”
Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s grandson and Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy may have lost the Lok Sabha poll 2019 from Mandya, but he continues to be prominent in the JD(S) ranks, courtesy his grandfather.
As the JD(S) patriarch appointed a new state president HK Kumaraswamy (JD(S) MLA from Sakleshpur) and has elevated Nikhil as the president of JD(S) youth wing, which was earlier held by Madhu Bangarappa.
After assuming charge, Nikhil dedicated his success to the lakhs of JD(S) workers.
He said, “To the lakhs of JD(S) workers, this decision was taken in consultation with all senior leaders, the belief with which they have given me this responsibility. If the JD(S) still survives it is because of Deve Gowda. He might have lost but I know his resolve. He is completely dedicated to rejuvenating this party. I, too, will follow in his footsteps. However, I would like to be known first as a committed JD(S) worker because I don't attach much significance to posts.”
The new youth wing president also sounded more mature about his Mandya loss.
He said, “After my loss in Mandya I did not speak to the press. Firstly, I want to thank the 5.45 lakh voters who supported me. That is not a joke. Those who voted against me, I will attempt to win them over in the future.”
Nikhil also took this opportunity to talk about newspaper reports that he had spoken to his grandfather, rather tersely, for losing the elections.
“I was not hurt by the loss but I was hurt by news reports that I had shouted at my grandfather. I will give reporters my phone number. Please call me before publishing such things. Please verify with me,” he added.
While Nikhil chose to talk about strengthening the party, his grandfather took time out to talk about the turbulence in the coalition.
Gowda said, “It is true there are some problems in the (Karnataka) coalition government (Congress-JD(S)) but we will resolve these. Let there be no doubt that there is no danger to this government. There is no question of midterm polls. If Yeddyurappa wants this government to fall, he is free to make such comments, but coalition government will move forward with maturity.”
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