Kumaraswamy hits campaign trail in Chamundeshwari, gets rousing response

JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday began his three-day election campaign in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency from where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to contest as the Congress candidate.

Kumaraswamy, along with party candidate and sitting MLA G T Devegowda, started the tour of the villages under the constituency after offering puja at Nanneshwari temple at Hinkal, on the outskirts of Mysuru.

Kumaraswamy took out a roadshow in a special bus designed for the election campaign 'Vikaasa Vahini'. The bus started it's journey from Hinkal and passed through Bogadi Ring Road, Datagalli and reached Kotehundi. The roadshow covered as many as 27 villages under the Chamundeshwari segment.

People of Kotehundi gave a warm welcome to Kumaraswamy and took him in a procession in the village. Later, he headed towards Daripur, where he addressed a gathering. Ranjitha and Nisarga, residents of Bardanapur offered 'aarathi' to the vehicle in the JD(S) was taking out the roadshow. The villagers welcomed him by performing folk dances such as 'Nandidwaja Kunita'.

The residents of Kotehundi forced Kumaraswamy to visit their village and take out a roadshow. As per the schedule, he was supposed to just touch the entry point of the village. But, the villagers blocked the bus and did not allow him to move forward unless he visited their village.

Kumaraswamy alighted from the bus and took a minivan to travel on the narrow roads of the village.

Appealing to the voters to support the JD(S), Kumaraswamy said, "G T Devegowda will be made district in-charge minister if the party is voted to power. The JD(S) is committed to protect the welfare of the people, including farmers, members of women self-help groups."