No comparison between Devaraj Urs and Siddaramaiah: Nikhil Kumaraswamy

Mysuru: JD(S) youth wing state president Nikhil Kumaraswamy Wednesday said there is "no comparison" between the contributions of former CM D Devaraj Urs and the current CM Siddaramaiah, even though the latter has administered the state for a longer period.Speaking at the ‘Janarondige Janata Dal' campaign in Periyapatna, he questioned Siddaramaiah's performance as CM. "His biggest contribution is record borrowing of Rs 5 lakh crore in the name of people," he said.Nikhil said Siddaramaiah enjoyed an absolute majority in both terms but "failed to prove he was a visionary leader", unlike the coalition govt led by HD Kumaraswamy. "Even today, people of Karnataka remember my father's contribution, from village stay to loan waiver. Siddaramaiah has nothing to claim," he said.He said regional parties are often dismissed as short-lived, "but in Karnataka, JD(S) proved it wrong through its 25 years of existence."Nikhil said the NDA will return to power in 2028. "I am not disheartened by my election losses. I will continue to fight," he said.He added that the 2026 urban and rural Local Body elections will be critical for party workers. "Party leaders will ensure activists' interests are protected. It is the first step to clinch power in Vidhana Soudha," he said.At the event, former MLA K Mahadev's son Prasanna Kumar, a former MYMUL chairman, was projected as the party's Periyapatna candidate.Hunsur MLA GD Harish Gowda said HD Kumaraswamy will become CM in 2028.Earlier, Nikhil and party colleagues visited tobacco markets after growers complained about falling prices. Nikhil assured them he would raise the issue with the Union commerce ministry.