Mysuru: With the countdown for the high stakes  Channapatna by-poll on Nov. 13 having begun, in which his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is contesting as NDA candidate, Union Minister for Steel & Heavy Industries and State JD(S) President H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) went on a temple run in city yesterday, praying for the victory of Nikhil.

Upon his arrival in city on Saturday morning, Kumaraswamy first visited Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill and sought the blessings of the deity. The Temple Chief Priest Dr. Shashishekar Dixit and other priests were present.

Speaking to press persons after coming out of the temple, Kumaraswamy, referring to the Congress criticism of Nikhil shedding tears during poll campaign, said that he (HDK) too had shed tears in public after hearing the problems of the people.

Maintaining that tears will roll down his eyes upon learning about the difficulties of the people, HDK asserted that those politicians who do not have any heart for the people, cannot shed tears. He lashed out at the Congress leaders saying these leaders do not have any sympathy for the sufferings of the people.

He later visited Jwalamukhi Tripurasundari Temple at Uttanahalli and offered special prayers to the deity.

Thereafter, he drove to Suttur Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill and sought the blessings of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. He was closeted with the Seer for about 20 minutes and had breakfast at the Mutt.

Later speaking to press persons, Kumaraswamy, who commented on Congress Guarantee Schemes, said that he had noticed the recent statements of Congress leaders who had hinted on stopping Guarantee Schemes. Stating that Congress leaders have been issuing confusing statements on discontinuance of Schemes, HDK said that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge was forced to intervene and assert that the Guarantee Schemes would not stop.

Arguing that development can be done along with Guarantees, the Union Minister said, however, the Congress does not want it and as such they were creating confusions by issuing contradictory statements now and then.

Replying to a question on Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda’s (GTD) absence from the Channapatna by-polls campaign, Kumaraswamy maintained that GTD was busy in his Constituency and as such, he has been unable to campaign  in Channapatna. However, GTD would also make his own efforts for ensuring Nikhil’s win in Channapatna, he added.

Asserting that there is a favourable atmosphere for NDA candidate in Channapatna, Kumaraswamy said that NDA campaign was on the right trail. Contending that Nikhil’s candidature became inevitable in Channapatna due to the political developments there, HDK  expressed confidence that the NDA candidate was going to win with the blessings of the Almighty.

Former Ministers S.R. Mahesh and C.S. Puttaraju, MLC C.N. Manjegowda and other JD(S) leaders were present.