Karnataka Bypolls: NDA Fields HD Kumaraswamy's Son Nikhil Kumaraswamy Against Congress's CP Yogeshwara In Channapatna

NDA Fields Nikhil Kumaraswamy: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday fielded Union Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, a JD(S) leader, as its candidate from the high-profile Channapatna Assembly seat for the upcoming by-polls in the state. The JD(S) is a crucial constituent party of the BJP-led NDA in southern India.

Nikhil, an actor-politician, is the grandson of ex-Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda. Nikhil, who is also the JD(S) State Youth Unit President, will be in the fray against CP Yogeshwara, who joined the Congress on Wednesday after resigning as a BJP MLC on Monday. Notably, HD Kumaraswamy (HDK) defeated Yogeshwara in the 2018 and 2023 assembly polls from the seat.

While announcing Nikhil as the NDA's candidate, ex-Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said, "We have announced Nikhil Kumaraswamy as NDA candidate. We are going to win all three seats... We are announcing, with the blessings of the high command leaders, that we field him. We'll meet after we win 100 per cent...I don't speak about who left the party; we will do whatever is required to make sure Nikhil Kumaraswamy wins."

The Election Commission (EC) had on October 15 announced by-polls for 48 Assembly constituencies and two parliamentary seats spread throughout the country. The by-polls are scheduled to occur in two phases alongside the regular Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The by-poll in the Channapatna Assembly constituency is set to take place on November 13.

(With inputs from agencies)