Will DK Shivakumar be the Congress candidate for Channapatna by-election?

As the former Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D Kumaraswamy was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) from the Manyda constituency as a Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) candidate, he offered his resignation as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Channapatna constituency from which he was elected during the 2023 Vidhana Sabha Elections. There were speculations that D.K Suresh who lost the MP elections to Dr C.N Manjunath of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might contest as the candidate from the Indian National Congress (INC). 

Reports indicate that D.K Suresh declined this proposal. There are however alternate viewpoints that state that the Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Karnataka D.K Shivakumar might himself contest from Channapatna. This would propel his ambitions to be the Chief Minister of Karnataka in the future. To avenge the loss in the Bengaluru Rural constituency would also be one of the aims of the DK brothers. DK Shivakumar visited more than 12 temples in Channapatna. He held meetings with Taluk-level administrators. 

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If this indeed materialises, DK Shivakumar would resign as an MLA from the Kanakapura constituency. This might then be contested by DK Suresh. The date for the by-elections is expected to be announced in the month of July.