JD(S) functionaries call for party unity

GTD meets party’s national president before Sunday rally

Mysuru: A day after former minister and disgruntled JD(S) MLA representing Chamundeshwari constituency, GT Devegowda, met the party’s national president HD Deve Gowda in Bengaluru, senior JD(S) functionaries from the district appealed to him to remain loyal to the party and they assured that they would abide by the party leadership’s decision.

Nonetheless, they took a dig at Devegowda over his stance vis-à-vis the party activities.

Devegowda’s meeting with the former PM came ahead of the party’s rally in the Chamundeshwari segment on Sunday, in which Union minister HD Kumaraswamy is expected to participate.

Speaking to reporters, former minister and JD(S) working president SR Mahesh said the party workers and leaders always regarded the former PM as a national leader of the party, Kumaraswamy as the state leader, and GT Devegowda as the sole leader from Mysuru district.

“However, there has been inconsistency in decisions during the byelection, in the assembly, in the Mysuru City Corporation, the DCC Bank and the cooperative union elections. Devegowda’s conduct has disappointed everyone,” Mahesh argued. “This has caused pain to party functionaries and workers,” he added.

“He must give up his opportunistic political strategies. The party is like a mother to us and nobody is bigger than the party. If he corrects his mistakes and returns, and if our leaders accept him, we have no objection,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hunsur MLA GD Harish Gowda said people from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and surrounding constituencies were expected to participate in Sunday’s programme.

“Kumaraswamy and Nikhil Kumaraswamy will participate in the event. Around 35,000 to 40,000 people are expected to gather. Tomorrow’s programme will send out a message to the state. Those asking where the JD(S) stands will get their answer,” Harish Gowda said.