Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has expressed his confidence in becoming the Chief Minister of Karnataka again before 2028. He highlighted his previous 14-month stint as CM, promising to use his experience to deliver good governance if he gets a full five-year term. Kumaraswamy also criticized the current Congress government, urging the people to give him a chance to implement his plans for the state's prosperity.
The Mandya Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka has become the center of a heated political warfare between Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Congress' Star Chandru. Both parties view this as a prestige battle and are pulling out all the stops to secure victory in this Vokkaliga-dominant region. This election also holds significance for the BJP, which has been steadily gaining support in the area. With the entry of independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh into the fray, the outcome of this election becomes even more uncertain.
Karnataka Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge has accused the BJP of disrespecting the Indian national flag and Constitution, saying that their leaders "can go to their preferred destination Pakistan" if they have a problem with them. The issue arose after a saffron flag bearing the picture of Hanuman was hoisted on a government-owned flagpole in Mandya district, causing tension between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP. Kharge called out the BJP for their Hindutva agenda and attempts to stir up trouble for political gain, and provided evidence that the organizers had promised to only hoist the national and state flags.