Karnataka: Regional Commissioner disqualifies Hassan Mayor as councillor

The Regional Commissioner of Mysuru division has issued an order disqualifying Chandre Gowda, Hassan Mayor, as councillor over allegations of violating the Karnataka Local Authorities (Prohibition of Defection) Act.

Ramesh D.S., the Regional Commissioner, issued the order on Thursday, August 14, disqualifying Mr. Gowda as the councillor.

Mr. Gowda was elected to the Hassan City Municipal Council on a JD(S) ticket. He was elected as president of the council in August 2024. His party had instructed him to vacate the post after six months to give the opportunity to another member of the party. As he refused to obey the direction, the JD(S) members moved a no-confidence motion against Mr. Gowda.

He retained the post with the support of Congress and BJP members on April 29 this year. He had thanked Preetham Gowda, former BJP MLA, and Shreyas M. Patil, Congress MP, on the occasion.

JD(S) party’s senior leader and former minister H.D. Revanna had stated that the party would fight for Mr. Gowda’s disqualification as he did not obey the the party’s whip during the no-confidence motion. Mr. Revanna also claimed that the Congress and the BJP had an alliance in Hassan, while the BJP had alliance with the JD(S) outside.