Shivakumar Declares Candidacy for Channapatna Bypolls Amidst Strong Opposition

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar affirmed his candidacy for the Channapatna bypolls, despite the seat being a JD(S) stronghold. The constituency became vacant after H D Kumaraswamy's resignation. Shivakumar asserted his dominance regardless of other contestants, facing off against a united BJP-JD(S) opposition.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reaffirmed on Friday that he would be the Congress candidate for the Channapatna bypolls, regardless of who contests on his party's ticket.

The Ramanagara district seat was left vacant after JD(S) deputy leader H D Kumaraswamy resigned following his victory in the Mandya Lok Sabha election, where he ran as the NDA candidate and became the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries.

"I am the one who issues B-form and I am the signatory for it. Hence, it is a vote for me, no matter who contests," stated Shivakumar to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bangalore.

With Congress set to face a combined opposition from the BJP and JD(S) in the bypoll, Shivakumar indicated that alliances wouldn't impact his candidacy. Responding to queries about BJP MLC C P Yogeshwara potentially joining Congress, he clarified no such proposals have been made.

Channapatna has long been a JD(S) bastion, with Kumaraswamy having won the constituency in both the 2023 assembly polls and the 2024 Mandya Lok Sabha election. Congress is making significant efforts to capture the seat from JD(S), but the latter's leadership remains optimistic due to its alliance with the BJP.

(With inputs from agencies.)