D K Shivakumar’s gamble: Why Karnataka Deputy CM is talking about contesting Assembly bypoll on JD(S) turf

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s recent statement suggesting that he may contest the bypoll from the seat vacated by Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has set off speculation about his next step.

Shivakumar hinted at the prospects of contesting the seat during a visit to Channapatna last week. “Channapatna is in my heart. It was part of the erstwhile Sathanur Assembly constituency that I represented. My political career actually started there. The people of Channaptna have been with me in tough times and I have a debt to repay,” he said.

“There is an opportunity to develop Channapatna in the same way I have developed Kanakapura (his current constituency). I am discussing with the local leaders and voters, and will make a decision on contesting later,” Shivakumar added.

The jury is still out on whether the state Congress chief is merely floating an idea to test the political waters of Channapatna or whether he is seriously considering taking a huge political risk in Mandya that is not only a JD(S) bastion but is also seeing a rising BJP.

However, the political context is ripe for Shivakumar’s proposition. The Congress managed to only get nine of the 28 seats in Karnataka in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Shivakumar suffered a personal loss, with his brother DK Suresh losing from the family bastion of Bengaluru Rural to Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law C N Manjunath who contested on a BJP ticket. In this context, the Channapatna battle could help the Deputy CM win back lost ground and strengthen his chances for the CM’s chair.

Shivakumar also aspires to be recognised as an alternative Vokkaliga leader to former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy who have nurtured a base within the