Will take a decision on returning to State politics at appropriate time, says H.D. Kumaraswamy

H.D. Kumaraswamy

Amid speculation over Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy’s return to active politics in Karnataka, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader on Sunday said that he would decide on it “at an appropriate time”.

“I will not disappoint party workers. I will take an appropriate decision in the best interest of the party and workers. Irrespective of my busy schedule in national politics, I have decided to dedicate time to all four Assembly constituencies in Ramanagara (now Bengaluru South) district,” he told reporters in Ramanagara on Sunday.

With around one-and-a-half years left for the Assembly elections in Karnataka, where his party is in alliance with the BJP, speculation is rife over his return to active politics in the State.

Insisting that the family will not “abandon” Bengaluru South district, he said: “Nikhil Kumaraswamy (his son) and I will schedule our visits to these four constituencies. Party workers are important to me and I will not disappoint them.”

Mr. Kumaraswamy and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have their political base in Ramanagara, and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda considers the Ramanagara constituency to have given him a political rebirth in 1994, when he became Chief Minister after winning from there.

Without naming the Chief Minister, he said: “Some people are dreaming of kicking us out of this district that has given me my political birth. However, they do not have the strength. People bless me wherever I go.”

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the family had never fallen behind in organising the party. “Despite my ill health and despite losing three elections, Nikhil has travelled to about 70 constituencies to strengthen the party. He is also travelling in and around Ramanagara and organising the party. I will also reserve two to three days a month to visit the district.”