Former Chief Minister and JD(S) Legislature Party leader HD Kumaraswamy speaking during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session, at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru on July 29, 2019. Photo: K Murali Kumar / The Hindu | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar
Former chief minister and JD(S) legislature party leader HD Kumaraswamy has said he stands by his earlier statement of fielding an ordinary party worker for the Hassan constituency.
Mr Kumaraswamy told the media at Sringeri in Chikkamagaluru district on Saturday that he was in favor of fielding an ordinary worker for the Hassan constituency. “Whatever may be the challenge before the Hassan MLA, I am confident of winning the seat by fielding an ordinary party worker,” he said.
Mr Kumaraswamy said he had called a meeting of over 300 workers from the Hassan constituency in Bengaluru on Sunday. He said, ‘I have not invited former minister HD Revanna and one of the party’s ticket contenders HP Swarup for the meeting. The meeting will be attended by former Zilla Parishad presidents, Zilla Panchayat members, Taluk Panchayat members, Gram Panchayat members and other leaders. They will have the freedom to express their opinion,” he said.
Bringing JD(S) to power independently
Further, Kumaraswamy said that he has been traveling across the state and people have extended their support to him. The people are in favor of bringing the party to power independently. I will take a decision regarding Hassan constituency so as not to harm the party’s prospects. My decision will be in accordance with Deve Gowda’s desire to bring the party to power. Deve Gowda wants the party to come to power for the benefit of the poor and downtrodden.
Sri Kumaraswamy was in Sringeri as part of his Pancharatna Yatra. He was accompanied by MLC Bhoj Gowda and others. He also visited the Sringeri Math and sought the blessings of the seer.
Meanwhile in Hassan, former minister HD Revanna, his wife Bhavani Revanna, their son and Lok Sabha member Prajwal Revanna are visiting villages for the party’s campaign. Ms. Bhavani is addressing the villagers and seeking their support to make Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister.