In Channapatna’s ‘Kurukshetra’, Nikhil Kumaraswamy Emerges As ‘Abhimanyu’ After Bypoll Loss – News18
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The Channapatna seat was likened to the epic Mahabharata battle with JD(S) drawing inspiration from one in all Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s movies, ‘Kurukshetra’, by which he performs Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu
In Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s (R) case, voters had been requested by his father and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy in the event that they wished his son to emerge as an Arjuna or an Abhimanyu. (Picture: Instagram)
A disheartened Nikhil Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), who misplaced the bypoll to political bigwig CP Yogeshwar of the Congress on Saturday, mentioned this isn’t the top and he’ll proceed to work for the individuals of Channapatna.
The bypoll contest began like a nail-biting film script however ended with the Congress securing victory – a becoming story, if not a satisfying finish for Nikhil, an actor and politician. Even the ballot marketing campaign of the JD(S) drew inspiration from one in all Nikhil’s movies, the Kannada interval drama ‘Kurukshetra’, by which he performed the function of Abhimanyu.
The Channapatna seat, therefore, was likened to the battle of Kurukshetra from the Mahabharata. Because the epic goes, Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, makes a valiant sacrifice a lot to the delight of his opponents – the Kauravas, likened to the Congress right here.
So, the bypoll unfolded like a fast-paced entertainer, blurring the strains between ‘neta’ and ‘abhineta’ with each the candidates, who had been film stars, battling for a blockbuster success of their political careers.
In Nikhil’s case, voters had been requested by his father and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy – who vacated this seat after profitable the Mandya Lok Sabha seat – in the event that they wished his son to emerge as an Arjuna or an Abhimanyu.
Kumaraswamy was assured in his son’s capability to rise as Arjuna and never Abhimanyu, and he performed his playing cards properly. “It seems to be just like the JD(S) could have wished to make Nikhil an Arjuna, however within the course of, he grew to become Abhimanyu, very similar to the function he performed within the film,” mentioned a neighborhood Channapatna chief on situation of anonymity.
In keeping with the epic, Abhimanyu learns the technique of breaking into the ‘chakravyuh’, a formidable labyrinthine navy formation, whereas inside his mom’s womb as his father Arjuna tells her all about it. However, the warrior couldn’t learn to exit the maze as a result of his mom falls asleep at that time. Afterward Day 13 of the battle, this results in him being captured and killed by the Kauravas.
Nikhil’s political journey can be very similar to his debut movie ‘Jaguar’ – a revenge drama the place the protagonist has to struggle towards all odds. He has typically referred to himself as a “reluctant politician”, and initially hesitated to contest this election after struggling two earlier defeats.
In his third electoral loss, Yogeshwar defeated him by a margin of 25,413 votes. The veteran, who had lately jumped ship from the BJP after being denied a ticket (because it was reserved for the JDS), secured an enormous win for the Congress. His fellow Kannada actor and five-time MLA additionally took a major danger by switching sides from the BJP to Congress solely days earlier than the polls.
“I bow to the choice of the individuals and respect the mandate,” mentioned Nikhil after the outcomes had been declared. “Regardless of setbacks, I can’t sit idle and can struggle with renewed dedication. This loss is not going to discourage me, and we’ll introspect on the place we went improper and determine areas for enchancment.”
Throughout his ballot marketing campaign, he had advised News18: “My political profession has been marked by defeats within the two elections I contested. I reluctantly entered this election after get together staff insisted and gave me the power to struggle. I’ve solely confronted setbacks in my political journey up to now, however I enchantment to the individuals of Channapatna to offer me an opportunity to serve them as devotedly as my grandfather and father did.”
Kumaraswamy additionally made an emotional enchantment on behalf of his son: “I’m placing my son in your (voters’) lap, and I depart the choice to you. If we have now made any errors, punish us.”
ABHIMANYU, NOT ARJUNA
The individuals of Channapatna finally determined to make Nikhil an Abhimanyu, and never an Arjuna as his father hoped. After entering into politics, he had beforehand misplaced two elections in 2019 and 2023. However, his “pressured” return has solely added to his checklist of setbacks.
Within the 2023 meeting elections, he did not safe the Ramanagara seat vacated by his mom Anitha Kumaraswamy. Within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he misplaced the Mandya seat to M Sumalatha, an actor-turned-politician and the widow of in style Kannada actor Ambareesh.
Each occasions, the JD(S) attributed his defeat to opposition forces rallying towards the Gowda household. Sumalatha, backed by the BJP on the time, emerged victorious in what was seen as a major defeat for the household. This time, nonetheless, his third defeat is seen as one that might undoubtedly put the get together on the backfoot.
The grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, he’s now being touted as the longer term chief of the Janata Dal (Secular). He carries the burden of the get together’s dynasty, particularly as his cousins – Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna – face severe prison prices of rape and kidnapping.
THE HEIR TO JD(S)?
Nikhil’s political trajectory and future management function is being rigorously moulded by his household, significantly by Deve Gowda, who has positioned him because the inheritor to the JD(S). At current, he’s serving because the president of the youth wing, however he has the complete backing of his father and grandfather.
He first got here below media scrutiny in 2006 when he was embroiled in a high-profile brawl as a teen together with mates at a well-liked lodge on Church Road. This was throughout his father’s first time period as chief minister.
Nevertheless, since this incident, he has largely targeted on his movie profession, entering into the function of politician from time to time. His energetic political re-entry started together with his participation within the Bengaluru-to-Mysuru ‘padyatra’ organised by the Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA) to protest alleged irregularities in land allotment by the Mysore City Improvement Authority (MUDA).
