Nikhil to lead JD(S) campaign in Mys district from tomorrow

Mysuru: Days after JD(S) state unit chief and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy said the party will groom another leader to retain the Chamundeshwari Assembly segment, the regional party announced that the party's youth wing chief, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, will tour Mysuru district from Feb 18.Kumaraswamy made no bones about being upset with Chamundeshwari MLA GT Devegowda, who recently distanced himself from JD(S) and moved closer to CM Siddaramaiah during the latter's visit to Mysuru last week. Kumaraswamy ruled out any reconciliation, unlike ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls.On Monday, party functionaries, led by working president SR Mahesh, said they are focusing on strengthening the party in all the 11 segments in Mysuru district to take on Congress—particularly CM Siddaramaiah— in the elections. As part of the drive, JD(S) will launch its party outreach and strengthening campaign, ‘Janarondige Janata Dal', in the CM's home district, Mysuru, from Feb 18, with Nikhil leading it.Mahesh said the campaign is intended to reorganise the party at the taluk level and work towards bringing back a BJP-JD(S) coalition govt in the state. He alleged that people are disillusioned with the Congress govt and that even contractors raised objections over governance issues.Mahesh said the campaign aims to reorganise the party at the taluk level and work toward bringing back a BJP-JD(S) coalition govt in Karnataka. He claimed that people were disillusioned with the Congress govt and pointed out that even contractors had raised concerns over governance issues.Responding to comments made by Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who urged backward communities to unite in support of the CM, Mahesh remarked that if Siddaramaiah was committed to empowering backward classes, he should consider nominating an eligible leader from the community to the legislative council instead of his son.Hunsur MLA GD Harish Gowda, son of GT Devegowda, said the ‘Janarondige Janata Dal' campaign is aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots level. He said that the programme had already been conducted in 52 Assembly constituencies, covering over 9,000 km across the state, energising party functionaries and cadres."The same momentum will be brought to Mysuru. We expect party leaders, workers, and well-wishers to ensure strong membership enrolment in the district, in line with the state-level drive," he said.JD(S) district president Ashwin Kumar was also present.