While Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, is busy preparing for his electoral debut from Mandya, an online campaign has been launched to condemn “dynastic politics” of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s family.
A group has launched “Go back Nikhil” campaign and is creating/sharing memes through WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms. The young actor-turned-politician, Mr. Nikhil, is the newest entrant in Mr. Gowda’s family to plunge into electoral politics.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kumaraswamy termed the campaign as the work of opponents who fear of Mr. Nikhil’s entry into politics. “Such efforts do not deserve a comment. There is a wing on social media to ridicule people,” he said. Subsequent to the announcement of Mr. Nikhil’s name, as the Janata Dal (Secular) nominee for Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, people took to social media to criticise the “family affairs in the political arena of the JD(S)”. Also, some youth JD(S) workers raised their objections to the dynasty practice of Mr. Gowda’s family.
In Mandya, Kranti Simha, Youth JD(S) leader, released a video clip and expressed his unhappiness over the candidature of Mr. Nikhil.
Other contenders
It is said that the party had assured L.R. Shivarame Gowda, incumbent Lok Sabha member, of fielding him again when he contested the byelection last year. Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, former IRS officer who was promised a ticket in the 2018 Assembly elections from Nagamangala segment and in the 2018 Lok Sabha byelection from Mandya, was also a contender. Another aspirant was Ashok Jayaram, son of former Minister late S.D. Jayaram. It is said that supporters of all three are unhappy with candidature of Mr. Nikhil.
