Politics
In Channapatna’s ‘Kurukshetra’, Nikhil Kumaraswamy Emerges As ‘Abhimanyu’ After Bypoll Loss
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The Channapatna seat was likened to the epic Mahabharata battle with JD(S) drawing inspiration from one of Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s films, ‘Kurukshetra’, in which he plays Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu
In Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s (R) case, voters were asked by his father and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy if they wanted his son to emerge as an Arjuna or an Abhimanyu. (Image: Instagram)
A disheartened Nikhil Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), who lost the bypoll to political bigwig CP Yogeshwar of the Congress on Saturday, said this is not the end and he will continue to work for the people of Channapatna.
The bypoll contest started like a nail-biting movie script but ended with the Congress securing victory – a fitting story, if not a satisfying end for Nikhil, an actor and politician. Even the poll campaign of the JD(S) drew inspiration from one of Nikhil’s films, the Kannada period drama ‘Kurukshetra’, in which he played the role of Abhimanyu.
The Channapatna seat, hence, was likened to the battle of Kurukshetra from the Mahabharata. As the epic goes, Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, makes a valiant sacrifice much to the delight of his opponents – the Kauravas, likened to the Congress here.
So, the bypoll unfolded like a fast-paced entertainer, blurring the lines between ‘neta’ and ‘abhineta’ with both the candidates, who were movie stars, battling for a blockbuster success in their political careers.
In Nikhil’s case, voters were asked by his father and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy – who vacated this seat after winning the Mandya Lok Sabha seat – if they wanted his son to emerge as an Arjuna or an Abhimanyu.
Kumaraswamy was confident in his son’s ability to rise as Arjuna and not Abhimanyu, and he played his cards well. “It looks like the JD(S) may have wanted to make Nikhil an Arjuna, but in the process, he became Abhimanyu, much like the role he played in the movie,” said a local Channapatna leader on condition of anonymity.
According to the epic, Abhimanyu learns the strategy of breaking into the ‘chakravyuh’, a formidable labyrinthine military formation, while inside his mother’s womb as his father Arjuna tells her all about it. But, the warrior could not learn how to exit the maze because his mother falls asleep at that point. Later on Day 13 of the battle, this leads to him being captured and killed by the Kauravas.
Nikhil’s political journey is also much like his debut film ‘Jaguar’ – a revenge drama where the protagonist has to fight against all odds. He has often referred to himself as a “reluctant politician”, and initially hesitated to contest this election after suffering two earlier defeats.
In his third electoral loss, Yogeshwar defeated him by a margin of 25,413 votes. The veteran, who had recently jumped ship from the BJP after being denied a ticket (as it was reserved for the JDS), secured a big win for the Congress. His fellow Kannada actor and five-time MLA also took a significant risk by switching sides from the BJP to Congress only days before the polls.
“I bow to the decision of the people and respect the mandate,” said Nikhil after the results were declared. “Despite setbacks, I will not sit idle and will fight with renewed determination. This loss will not discourage me, and we will introspect on where we went wrong and identify areas for improvement.”
During his poll campaign, he had told News18: “My political career has been marked by defeats in the two elections I contested. I reluctantly entered this election after party workers insisted and gave me the strength to fight. I have only faced setbacks in my political journey so far, but I appeal to the people of Channapatna to give me a chance to serve them as devotedly as my grandfather and father did.”
Kumaraswamy also made an emotional appeal on behalf of his son: “I am putting my son in your (voters’) lap, and I leave the decision to you. If we have made any mistakes, punish us.”
ABHIMANYU, NOT ARJUNA
The people of Channapatna ultimately decided to make Nikhil an Abhimanyu, and not an Arjuna as his father hoped. After stepping into politics, he had previously lost two elections in 2019 and 2023. But, his “forced” return has only added to his list of setbacks.
In the 2023 assembly elections, he failed to secure the Ramanagara seat vacated by his mother Anitha Kumaraswamy. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he lost the Mandya seat to M Sumalatha, an actor-turned-politician and the widow of popular Kannada actor Ambareesh.
Both times, the JD(S) attributed his defeat to opposition forces rallying against the Gowda family. Sumalatha, backed by the BJP at the time, emerged victorious in what was seen as a significant defeat for the family. This time, however, his third defeat is seen as one that could definitely put the party on the backfoot.
The grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, he is now being touted as the future leader of the Janata Dal (Secular). He carries the weight of the party’s dynasty, especially as his cousins – Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna – face serious criminal charges of rape and kidnapping.
THE HEIR TO JD(S)?
Nikhil’s political trajectory and future leadership role is being carefully moulded by his family, particularly by Deve Gowda, who has positioned him as the heir to the JD(S). At present, he is serving as the president of the youth wing, but he has the full backing of his father and grandfather.
He first came under media scrutiny in 2006 when he was embroiled in a high-profile brawl as a teenager along with friends at a popular hotel on Church Street. This was during his father’s first term as chief minister.
However, since this incident, he has largely focused on his film career, stepping into the role of politician once in a while. His active political re-entry began with his participation in the Bengaluru-to-Mysuru ‘padyatra’ organised by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to protest alleged irregularities in land allotment by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
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Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane said Hindu community just has one country – India. Nepal is also a Hindu majority country, but number of community members is very less in Himalayan nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI Image)
Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane on Tuesday claimed India will save Hindus in Bangladesh, where they are facing attacks, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can defeat the neighbouring nation in “48 hours”.
Speaking at a rally organised in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra to protest against atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, Rane said India is being surrounded by all sides everyday.
He said the Hindu community just has one country – India. Nepal is also a Hindu majority country, but the number of community members is very less in the Himalayan nation.
“Muslims have many countries. If you (Muslims) do not like our country then leave,” the ruling coalition MLA maintained.
Hindu women are being kidnapped and stones are being pelted on Ganpati, Ram Navmi and Hanuman Jayanti rallies/processions in Maharashtra, alleged the MLA whose party is aligned with the BJP.
“We will save Hindus in Bangladesh. There is (PM) Narendra Modi for that. But it is our responsibility to save our country. Do not let your guard down. Modi ji will not take more than two days to defeat Bangladesh. We will defeat Bangladesh in 48 hours,” the Shiv Sena legislator told the gathering in his home district.
Nilesh Rane is son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane and elder brother of BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, who has been accused of make provocative speeches.
Nilesh Rane, a former BJP member, joined the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde ahead of the last month’s assembly polls and won from Kudal in Sindhudurg district.
Meanwhile, in Thane district, the Sakal Hindu Samaj, on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, organized an event to highlight atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and express solidarity with them.
A delegation representing the organization met with Thane district collector Ashok Shingare and Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dhumbre, and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns and demands.
The memorandum brought attention to the “inhumane treatment and violence faced by Hindus in Bangladesh,” and urged the Indian government to take “swift and decisive action” to address the crisis.
To amplify their message, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organized a “silent march” in Thane on Sunday, as part of the “Bangladesh Hindu Nyaya Yatra” (Bangladesh Hindu Justice March).
The campaign also extended to Vasai in Palghar district, where hundreds of citizens took part in the yatra. The march was led by BJP leader Mahendra Patil.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
- Location :
Sindhudurg, India
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The decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Election Commission was announced by Prashant Jagtap, leader of the NCP-Sharad Pawar who lost the assembly elections from the Hadapsar seat in Pune
During the meeting, Kejriwal flagged concerns related to voter lists in Delhi where assembly elections are due early next year.
(File Photo)
The opposition INDIA bloc in Maharashtra is set to move the Supreme Court over alleged manipulation of EVMs in the recent assembly elections.
The decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Election Commission was announced by Prashant Jagtap, leader of the NCP-Sharad Pawar who lost the assembly elections from the Hadapsar seat in Pune.
The decision was announced after a meeting between NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and noted lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi here.
Pawar has been meeting leaders of his party who lost the assembly elections.
The INDIA bloc has claimed that it lost the elections in Maharashtra due to alleged manipulation of EVMs in favour of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition.
In the elections held last month, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition won 235 seats in the 288-member House while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance bagged 46.
During the meeting, Kejriwal flagged concerns related to voter lists in Delhi where assembly elections are due early next year.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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Opposition’s motion of removal against Jagdeep Dhankhar: The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha
Jagdeep Dhankhar has become the first Vice-President in the history of Independent India to face such a motion for removal. (PTI File)
A total of 60 MPs from opposition parties have submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, demanding a motion for removal of Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
The MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other INDIA bloc allies have alleged that Dhankhar’s conduct is biased and therefore unbecoming of his position as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Article 67(b) of the Constitution of India states that the Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution of the council of states. The resolution must be passed by a majority of the council of states and agreed to by the House of the People. Before a resolution can be moved, at least 14 days’ notice must be given of the intention to move the resolution.
For the first time in the 72-year history of the Rajya Sabha, Opposition Parties have formally submitted a no-confidence motion against the Chairman.There have been three occasions, however, when a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/DHjo5vqL2K
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 10, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha.
Constitutional expert P D T Achari told News18 that the Rajya Sabha rule book makes no mention of any provision for removal of the chairperson. However, article 67 of the Constitution provides for the procedure for impeachment of the Vice-President of India. “The motion moved by the opposition will have to be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha. If a majority votes in favour, then it will be sent to the Lok Sabha. The Vice-President can be removed only if a majority of members in both the houses vote to impeach him,” Achary said.
#WATCH | On Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, ” In the last 72 years, it is the first time that Opposition parties have submitted a motion over Rajya Sabha Chairman. This shows how the situation has… pic.twitter.com/ySiO4r8D7u— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2024
GOVERNMENT’S STAND
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the move by the INDIA bloc, but said the government did not have a problem in accepting the notice and getting it voted upon. Rijiju, however, pointed out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a majority in Parliament and all NDA MPs have full faith in the chairperson. “This notice is a diversionary tactic because the Congress is scared and disturbed over the Soros revelation. Dhankhar is a Jat, son of a farmer. We condemn this move to target him,” Rijiju said.
14 DAYS REQUIREMENT
As per article 67, a 14-day notice must be given before any resolution to remove the Vice-President is voted upon. Achari clarified that although this is an unprecedented situation, a bare reading of the Constitution suggests that the resolution moved by the opposition can be taken up in the next session of Parliament as less than 10 working days remain in the winter session. “A special session of the two houses can be called or the notice can be voted upon in the next session,” he told News18.
UNPRECEDENTED MOVE
Dhankhar has become the first Vice-President in the history of Independent India to face such a motion for removal. The numbers in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha favour the ruling side, but the opposition insists on “putting on record the bias of the Chair”.
“As Chairperson, the manner in which Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar conducts parliamentary affairs of the Rajya Sabha is extremely partisan. It is a matter of record that Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has repeatedly interrupted members of the Opposition while they are speaking, unfairly used privilege motions to silence leaders of the opposition, and openly delegitimized dissent with respect to the actions of the Government in the utmost disparaging manner,” the notice alleges.
It adds that his open praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and calling himself an “Ekalavya of the RSS” is proof of his bias. Rijiju dismissed the charge and said there was nothing wrong with praising an organisation like the RSS.
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