Kumaraswamy accuses Shivakumar of backing defamatory poster campaign in Karnataka
Synopsis
H.D. Kumaraswamy has gone on the offensive against Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar, alleging Congress-backed defamatory posters falsely claim he and his son own 100 acres of land. The attack signals an escalating JD(S)–Congress confrontation in Karnataka, with Kumaraswamy simultaneously denying any bid to poach Congress legislators — and warning that the ruling party's internal cracks could yet benefit the opposition.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy on 17 June accused Karnataka CM D.K.
Shivakumar of orchestrating a defamatory poster campaign against his family in Bengaluru .
Posters allegedly claimed Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy own 100 acres of land; Kumaraswamy says he acquired only 46 acres over 40 years ago .
His wife and former MLA Anita Kumaraswamy 's 36–37 acres were described as legally purchased.
Kumaraswamy denied allegations of contacting Congress legislators, calling JD(S) too small to run such an operation against the ruling party.
Similar posters were allegedly put up against BJP leaders B.Y.
Vijayendra and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy .
Kumaraswamy dismissed criticism from Agriculture Minister N.
Cheluvarayaswamy , saying his workers would respond on his behalf.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday, 17 June levelled sharp allegations against Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, claiming that a coordinated campaign of defamatory posters targeting him and his family was being orchestrated with the backing of the ruling Indian National Congress. Kumaraswamy made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, demanding that the Chief Minister uphold the dignity of his office.
The Poster Allegations
Kumaraswamy alleged that posters had been put up publicly claiming that he and his son, actor-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy, collectively own 100 acres of land. He strongly contested the figures, stating that he had acquired 46 acres nearly 40 years ago through his own effort. 'They have put up posters claiming that Nikhil Kumaraswamy and I own 100 acres of land. I acquired 46 acres nearly 40 years ago through hard work. Beyond that, what property is there in my name?' he asked.
He also defended his wife and former MLA Anita Kumaraswamy, asserting that the 36–37 acres she holds were legally purchased. The posters, he alleged, were designed to mislead the public and damage his family's reputation through politically motivated misinformation.
Attack on Shivakumar's Conduct
Kumaraswamy expressed disappointment that such tactics had persisted even after Shivakumar assumed the Chief Minister's office. 'I thought that after becoming Chief Minister, such activities as spreading blue-film propaganda and putting up defamatory posters would stop. But that mentality has not changed,' he said. He argued that the Chief Minister's conduct amounted to character assassination unbecoming of the position, adding, 'Shouldn't there be some standard for a Chief Minister?'
Kumaraswamy further alleged that similar posters had been erected against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including B.Y. Vijayendra and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. He called for lawful action against any genuine wrongdoing rather than public smear campaigns.
Denial of Legislator-Contact Allegations
Responding to claims raised at a recent Congress Legislature Party meeting that he had attempted to reach out to Congress legislators, Kumaraswamy dismissed any suggestion of a political operation. 'We are a small party. The Congress has the government, manpower, muscle power and financial strength. How can we engage in such operations against them?' he said. He maintained that the JD(S) had fielded its candidate solely to consolidate its own vote base and had sought BJP member support only where additional votes were available.
Kumaraswamy's Broader Stand
Declaring that he was unbothered by the attacks, Kumaraswamy asserted, 'My life is an open book. My workers and the people know everything about me. I am not afraid of these posters or threats. I will continue my fight for farmers.' He also dismissed criticism from Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, saying he did not consider it worth engaging with. 'He is only struggling to protect his chair. Why should I lower myself by responding to such comments?' he said. On speculation that Congress's internal tensions could benefit the JD(S), Kumaraswamy remarked, 'That is God's will. If something like that happens, it may be possible to strengthen the opposition to the government.'
Point of View
Now in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, has every incentive to keep Karnataka's Congress government on the defensive. The poster controversy, however, cuts both ways: by raising it so loudly, Kumaraswamy amplifies the very land-ownership questions the posters posed. The denial of legislator-contact allegations is the more consequential thread; if credible evidence emerges to the contrary, it could reshape Karnataka's fractious opposition arithmetic ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kumaraswamy allege against Karnataka CM Shivakumar?
Kumaraswamy alleged on 17 June that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was backing a campaign of defamatory posters targeting him and his family, claiming the posters falsely portrayed his family's land holdings. He called the campaign politically motivated and said it was unbecoming of the Chief Minister's office.
What do the posters claim about Kumaraswamy's land holdings?
The posters allegedly claimed that Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy together own 100 acres of land. Kumaraswamy contested this, saying he acquired only 46 acres nearly 40 years ago and that his wife Anita Kumaraswamy's 36–37 acres were legally purchased.
Did Kumaraswamy deny trying to contact Congress legislators?
Yes. Kumaraswamy dismissed allegations raised at a Congress Legislature Party meeting that he had attempted to reach Congress legislators, arguing that the JD(S) lacked the resources to mount such an operation against the ruling party. He said the party fielded its candidate only to consolidate its own votes.
Who else was targeted by similar posters, according to Kumaraswamy?
Kumaraswamy alleged that similar defamatory posters were also put up against BJP leaders B.Y. Vijayendra and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. He called for legal action against wrongdoing rather than public smear campaigns.
How did Kumaraswamy respond to criticism from Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy?
Kumaraswamy dismissed the criticism, saying he did not consider it necessary to respond personally. He stated that his party workers would answer the minister, adding that Cheluvarayaswamy was 'only struggling to protect his chair.'
