Burying political rivalry of over four decades, JD(S) MLA for Gurmitkal Naganagouda Kandkur has extended support to M. Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress candidate for Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency. This was after Mr. Kharge personally approached him and sought support.
“I have had political rivalry with Mr. Kharge for the past 40 years. But now I have extended my support to Mr. Kharge and agreed to participate in the election campaign to honour the coalition dharma ,” he told The Hindu on Friday.
In 1972, Mr. Kharge contested his first election in Gurmitkal Assembly constituency and registered his first victory. He contested from this constituency until 2008, but moved to Chittapur after Gurmitkal became a general constituency. During this period, Mr. Kandkur was Mr. Kharge’s political rival.
“I have faced difficulties during these years. But after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s intervention, I agreed to go along Mr. Kharge,” he said. Mr. Kandkur, however, made it clear that this understanding was for parliamentary elections alone.
Later, Mr. Kharge said, “To honour the coalition dharma , Mr. Kandkur has agreed to campaign for me.”
As Mr. Kandkur was not willing to accept a request by anyone except Mr. Kharge, he had to personally approach him, sources said.
