Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday stoked a controversy after holding a press briefing outside a polling booth in Ramanagra where he attacked the central government and indirectly endorsed his son Nikhil Gowda, who is contesting elections from Mandya constituency. Seeing the press briefing as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission has sought the video footage of the Kumaraswamy's remark.

While speaking to media, HD Kumaraswamy appealed to the voters to come out in huge numbers to cast their vote for the future of the country. He added that the elections are crucial for protecting the interests of the farmer community which has been sidelined by the central government.

When asked about his party's chances in the ongoing elections, Kumaraswamy predicted that the Congress-JDS alliance would comfortably win 10-12 seats from the 14 parliamentary seats in Karnataka which are witnessing elections in the second phase.

Kumaraswamy also gave his two cents on dynasty politics which remains one of the biggest talking subjects for the BJP against the Congress. He said that only because of dynasty politics and regional politics, the country has developed. Kumaraswamy, whose son is contesting the Lok Sabha elections this time out, further added that he is not bothered about criticism from the BJP.

Elsewhere in Hassan's Paduvalahippe, Kumaraswamy's father and JDS president HD Deve Gowda endorsed both his grandsons Nikhil Gowda and Prajwal Revanna who are contesting elections from Mandya and Hassan respectively and iterated that he fully expects victory for them both.

According to sources, the Election Commission has stressed that campaigning for a particular candidate and speaking inside a polling station is not allowed during the silent period and if anybody is found violating these rules, appropriate action would be taken. Reportedly, the EC has demanded video footage of Kumaraswamy's remark.