JD(S) workers are upset over GTD’s continuation in party

Mysuru: Ahead of the assembly polls, trouble is brewing for JD(S) in Chamundeshwari assembly segment, which is represented by former minister and JD(S) MLA G T Devegowda. On Tuesday, a section of JD(S) leaders from the constituency, held a meeting and targeted Devegowda, accusing him of weakening the party and also using it to promote his personal goals. They were upset with JD(S) brass’ decision to retain Devegowda. Some Congress leaders also attended the meeting.
Though they spared JD(S) brass, especially former PM H D Deve Gowda and former CM H D Kumaraswamy, they criticised the legislator, saying he is acting as per his whims and fancies, and not caring for the party and its workers.
Former zilla panchayat member Beerihundi Basavanna said that Devegowda has let down the people of Chamundeshwari segment by playing power politics. “He worked against the party during Hunsur bypoll and during the polls to the legislative council from the Mysuru Local Authorities’ segment and South Graduates’ segment,” he claimed.
“As he had openly said that he will quit the party, we worked hard to strengthen the party under the guidance of Kumaraswamy. But now the party brass has allowed him to continue in the party, and also promised him to filed him from Chamundeshwari segment, and his son G D Harish Gowda from Hunsur segment. This is an affront to the local workers,” said former ZP member Madegowda.
Senior JD(S) leader Mavinahalli Siddegowda said that they erred by working against former chief minister Siddaramaiah during the 2018 elections.
The disgruntled JD(S) leaders said that they have decided to quit the party in opposition to the party top brass’ decision to continue with Devegowda in the party.
Responding to a section of JD(S) leaders rebelling against him, Devegowda said leaders who are not happy with the party brass' decisions can quit. “I have not told anybody to leave the party. It is left to them,” he said, adding he is happy that leaders groomed by him are now challenging him politically.