JD(S) MLC attacks GTD over ‘anti-party’ activities

Mysuru: Differences within JD(S) in Mysuru, the regional party's stronghold, surfaced on Tuesday, with the party MLC CN Manjegowda launching a sharp attack on the party's senior MLA GT Devegowda.According to the first-time MLC, Devegowda, a former minister, repeatedly indulged in anti-party activities despite claiming loyalty to the party.
Devegowda publicly maintains that he has not acted against the party and will continue in JD(S), but his actions during the legislative council elections tell a different story. He worked against me in the council elections, Manjegowda claimed, adding, "If he has strength of his own, let him prove it by winning on his own."Recalling past events, Manjegowda said when Congress functionary Rizwan Arshad contested for the council from the assembly, the Congress and JD(S) had an understanding. However, he alleged that Devegowda supported BJP candidate Lakshman Savadi then.Manjegowda further said Devegowda, who earlier contested from Hunsur on a BJP ticket and finished third, was later brought back into JD(S) and made an MLA by the state unit chief HD Kumaraswamy and former minister SR Mahesh. "Despite this, he tried to weaken Mahesh in KR Nagar and continuously worked against the party," he alleged.He also accused Devegowda of opposing even his son, and JD(S) MLA GD Harish Gowda, during the MCDCC Bank elections, and of backing a Congress functionary for the post of bank president. "All this created unnecessary confusion within JD(S)," Manjegowda said.Taking a dig at Devegowda's recent statement reaffirming loyalty to JD(S) soon after Mahesh expressed interest in contesting from the Chamundeshwari segment, Manjegowda remarked, "The people of Chamundeshwari are not fools."He asserted that if the party gives him an opportunity, he is ready to contest from Chamundeshwari. Manjegowda added that former PM HD Deve Gowda directed the party to face future elections under the leadership of Mahesh, and they will all abide by that decision.