Haradanahalli Deve Gowda Kumaraswamy, better known as HD Kumaraswamy served as the 18th chief minister of Karnataka from May 23, 2018, to July 23, 2019. He is the son of the former chief minister of Karnataka and former prime minister of India HD Deve Gowda.
HD Kumaraswamy was born in Karnataka’s Hassan district to Chennamma and HD Deve Gowda. He married Anitha Kumaraswamy on March 13, 1986, and they have a son, Nikhil Gowda.
HD Kumaraswamy's entrance to politics was marked by his victory in the 1996 general elections while representing the Kanakapura constituency in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district. But, he lost the re-election in 1998 to MV Chandrashekara Murthy. In 1999, he lost to Congress stalwart DK Shivakumar while contesting from Sathanur for the assembly elections.
In 2004, when the state elections resulted in a hung assembly, he represented the Ramanagara assembly. That year, the Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) formed a coalition government, which did not last for more than two years.
On January 28, 2006, Karnataka governor TN Chaturvedi invited Kumaraswamy to form the government in the state. However, he resigned on October 8, 2007, as part of the power-sharing agreement with the BJP.
He took charge as chief minister again, 12 years later, on May 23, 2018. But, his government lost the majority in July 2019 when 13 Congress MLAs and 3 MLAs from his own party resigned. He lost the floor test in the assembly on July 23, resulting in him having to resign from the CM post.
A political dispute in Karnataka has emerged over ethanol blending exceeding official limits in fuel.
Political tensions have escalated in Karnataka over an alleged fake sting video row targeting Siddaramaiah. Amid the controversy, Siddaramaiah met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi, expressing serious concerns over the ongoing investigation and alleging party workers were behind circulating the clip. Meanwhile, Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of exploiting and later humiliating Siddaramaiah. The police probe has led to an arrest, with a Delhi-purchased mobile phone emerging as key evidence.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi amid the ongoing row over an alleged sting operation. Siddaramaiah raised serious concerns regarding the investigation, alleging that party insiders may have been involved in fabricating the video and that the probe was solely focusing on who uploaded it rather than who created it. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police revealed that a mobile phone purchased in Delhi and allegedly used to upload the video was handed over at the official residence of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, following claims made by an arrested accused linking the purchase to a member of the Union Minister's social media team.
The BJP and the INDIA bloc opposition clash over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and voter suppression allegations following the Ramlila Maidan rally targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statements regarding infiltrators on voter lists drew sharp responses, with Congress spokesperson Mohan Kumar Mangalam alleging illegal Form 7 deletions, while BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan defended the administrative process. In Andhra Pradesh, local body election violence in Pulivendula resulted in an assault on an India Today news crew, sparking mutual blame between the TDP and YSRCP. In Karnataka, Bengaluru police investigate an alleged fake sting operation targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with developments referencing Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Additionally, environmental protests in Raigad, Maharashtra, target Torrent Power's 3,000 MW Sai Dongar pumped storage project over forest diversion and tree felling, alongside coverage of celebrations for Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's birthday.
An investigation into an alleged fake sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has triggered a political confrontation in the state. According to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, arrested suspect Ritesh Pandey claimed that a mobile phone purchased in Karol Bagh for the sting was delivered to Prajwal Prasad at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's official residence in Delhi. The police clarified that the suspect's claim is subject to verification. Kumaraswamy denied the allegations, accusing the state government of pressuring inquiry officers to target him. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge defended the police probe, stating authorities will summon the Union Minister if any evidence emerges.
The Bengaluru City Police investigation into an alleged sting video targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reached the official Delhi residence of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Accused Ritesh Pandey was arrested in Delhi and stated during questioning that he and Vinod Sharma purchased a mobile handset in Karol Bagh on instructions from Prajwal Prasad, an aide in Kumaraswamy's social media team, and handed it over at the residence. Police noted the claims are under verification. Meanwhile, HD Kumaraswamy accused the police commissioner of leaking sensitive probe details, alleging a Congress government conspiracy to target him.
The Bengaluru City Police investigation into an alleged sting video targeting Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has led to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's official residence in New Delhi. Accused Ritesh Pandey, arrested from Delhi in connection with a cybercrime case, disclosed during questioning that he and associate Vinod Sharma purchased a mobile handset in Karol Bagh on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad, an aide working with Kumaraswamy's social media team. According to Pandey, the phone was subsequently delivered to Prasad at the Union Minister's Kushak Road residence. Police stated that they are verifying the claims to establish the network involved in circulating the viral video.
The National Democratic Alliance secured a 4-0 clean sweep in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, dealing a significant political setback to the ruling Congress party in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party won three seats, while its ally Janata Dal (Secular) secured the fourth by toppling Congress candidate Puttanna in the Bengaluru Teachers seat. The Bharatiya Janata Party retained the Northeast Teachers constituency, located in Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's home turf, alongside the West Graduate and Southeast Graduate seats. Following the victory, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders criticised Congress, pointing out that the elections were conducted via ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines, blunting opposition allegations regarding voting machines. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) termed the result a decisive mandate against the state government, while Congress representatives acknowledged the loss as an occasion to learn lessons, maintaining the outcome reflected a narrow constituency rather than a broader verdict on governance.
The bulletin covers major political and legal updates across south India on India Today's So South. In Karnataka, a political row erupted after footage surfaced from a Delhi protest showing Rahul Gandhi pulling Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar away, triggering sharp criticism from the BJP. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lodged a formal police complaint over a circulating defamatory fake video, seeking an investigation and legal injunction. Additionally, the Karnataka High Court scrapped the hike in SC/ST reservation beyond the 50 percent cap, holding the state amendment unconstitutional. In Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court declined to entertain a petition challenging the resignation of AIADMK MLAs who joined TVK, alongside mounting scrutiny over hazardous illegal banners in Chennai. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hosted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph C. Vijay in Vijayawada for talks on linking the Godavari and Kaveri rivers. In Kerala, the Congress faced backlash following a controversial social media post criticizing the judiciary.
The Janata Dal (Secular) has demanded a clarification from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding reported differences among the three Election Commissioners. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that the real facts surrounding the issues inside the Election Commission must be brought out publicly by its members. Calling the Election Commission of India an autonomous body with significant national responsibilities, he emphasised that the reality should be disclosed to the media and to the country rather than remaining confined to media reports.
Speaking at the India Today Roundtable, Janata Dal (Secular) Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy addressed key political developments in Karnataka and his party's stance. Criticizing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy alleged that the Karnataka Congress government functions like a mafia and described Shivakumar as resembling the chief executive officer of a real estate firm. He raised concerns regarding land acquisition for the proposed artificial intelligence city in Bidadi, questioning why fertile agricultural land is being forcefully acquired despite ongoing farmer protests. On the NICE project issue, he questioned the government's delay in acting on High Court directives. Addressing allegations of dynastic politics within JDS, Kumaraswamy asserted that regional parties often operate under family leadership while highlighting opportunities provided to non-family workers by founder H.D. Deve Gowda. Confirming his political plans, he declared that he will contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections from his home constituency of Ramanagara.
In an interview with India Today, Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashok criticized the Congress government over the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam involving Minister B. Nagendra. Ashok claimed that 187 crore rupees meant for Dalits was diverted for election expenditure. He declared that the BJP and JDS alliance will not allow the Karnataka Assembly to function until Nagendra resigns. Ashok announced plans for a padayatra and laying siege to the Chief Minister's residence to force the minister's removal. Addressing the political coordination with JDS, he asserted that both parties are unified for the 2028 Assembly elections. Ashok also criticized the administration over Bangalore's civic issues, including potholes, garbage collection, and proposed local taxes. He highlighted Karnataka's growing debt burden attributed to unbudgeted freebie schemes, claiming that basic administrative payouts such as old age pensions have been delayed. Furthermore, Ashok questioned Congress's internal stability and accused the state leadership of making concessions to corporate interests.
This news broadcast covers key political developments in India and international affairs. Former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy addresses the evolution of India's photo voter identity cards, stating that while basic verification occurs during voter registration, voter ID cards do not serve as proof of citizenship.
On 5Live hosted by Sonali Mehrotra Kapoor, the Bihar government has moved quickly to address growing anger among competitive exam aspirants by announcing the recruitment of 32,388 school teachers under the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4.0).
This episode of 'To The Point' covers Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in Evian, France and the big buzz over the Sena UBT split in Maharashtra.
The Central government has temporarily blocked the messaging app Telegram till June 22 and ordered Apple and Google to delist it ahead of the NEET re-examination on June 21.
A big milestone for the NDA government as Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes the country's longest continuously serving elected premier, completing 12 years in office.
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar met with veteran state leaders and former Chief Ministers to extend personal invitations and seek their blessings.
In a special report on the political climate in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismisses speculation of a rift with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Shivakumar asserts that the 'entire state is united' and confirms a breakfast meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss governance issues. He addresses the Mekedatu project, stating, 'I want to meet the water resource minister and the environment minister both of them.' The Deputy CM also urges BJP MPs from the state to cooperate for Karnataka's interests. The report also features Minister Priyank Kharge denying rumours regarding his meetings with central leadership.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the political drama in Karnataka where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar have called a truce. Following a "breakfast bonhomie" in Bengaluru, the leaders presented a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular). DK Shivakumar dismissed rumors of a rift, stating, 'There was no difference with me or the chief minister.' The programme highlights the opposition's threat to bring a no-confidence motion and the Congress High Command's intervention to resolve the power-sharing tussle. Senior leader Veerappa Moily also weighs in, warning that 'negligence of the Congress leaders' could cost the party.
