Sixth visit! HD Kumaraswamy, Anitha at Sringeri for son’s success

Chikkamagaluru: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy spent nearly half- a -day in Sringeri town and nearby temples on Monday praying for the  success of his son, Nikhil, who is contesting his maiden election  from Mandya  this Lok Sabha poll on a JD(S) ticket.   

Mr Kumaraswamy, who was on his sixth visit to the temple town of Sringeri since January this year, was accompanied by his wife, Anitha and Nikhil.  The family, which arrived in a chopper from Bengaluru, headed straight for the  Sringeri Matha, carrying  Nikhil's "B" form to seek the blessings of Bharathi Theertha Swamiji and later offered prayers at the Sharadamba temple and Torana Ganapathi temple, where the Chief Minister broke a coconut for Nikhil's success.

Although Mandya  is a JD(S) bastion, having won both the 2014 Lok Sabha poll and the bypoll from the constituency about five months ago, the coming poll may not be a cakewalk for Nikhil as Ms Sumalatha Ambarish, wife of the late actor/politician, M H Ambareesh, has decided to contest from it as an independent and could prove a formidable challenge.

The late Ambareesh, fondly called “Mandyada Gandu” (son of Mandya) by his loyalists, has a  huge fan following  in the constituency, which he  represented both in the state legislature and parliament before his death. It is consequently believed the constituency is heading for a close finish between Nikhil and Ms Sumalatha.

The Chief Minister, who is obviously aware of the challenges confronting his son these polls, also visited the  Durga temple about 2 kms from Sringeri and the Mallappa Betta in Sringeri town. Around a week ago he had performed the Chandika Yaga at the Sringeri Matha for his son's success.