Fresh debate over GTD’s future in JD(S)

A fresh debate over veteran politician G.T. Deve Gowda’s continuation in JD(S) and his candidature from the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency in Mysuru has gripped political circles, even though the Legislative Assembly elections are more than two years away.

Weeks after Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy questioned Mr. Deve Gowda’s loyalty and commitment to the party while making it clear that the veteran politician was no longer in the JD(S), Mr. Deve Gowda, while addressing a gathering at Jayapura on Tuesday, said he had no intention of leaving the party.

He said he had already announced before the media that he would contest the next elections from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency as a JD(S) candidate. Mr. Deve Gowda said he would consult the people of the constituency if the party rejects his application for a ticket. “I will call a meeting of the people of the constituency and take a decision as per your wishes,” he told the gathering.

Mr. Deve Gowda even referred to the speculations about his son and Hunsur MLA, G.D. Harish Gowda, entering the fray from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency. He noted that his son would contest from Hunsur in the coming elections, while he would seek re-election from Chamundeshwari.

Mr. Deve Gowda even recalled his contribution to building the JD(S) party in the Mysuru region and said he had never lost an election, whether it was in the co-operative sector, zilla panchayat or the Assembly elections in Chamundeshwari constituency.

However, former minister S.R. Mahesh, who is also a senior JD(S) leader, stated that Mr. Deve Gowda is currently not a member of the party. “Mr. Kumaraswamy, who is the leader for all of us, has said that Mr. Deve Gowda is not with us. So, he (Mr. Deve Gowda) is not in the party,” he said.

Apparently referring to Mr. Deve Gowda’s complaint that he was not made the JD(S) floor leader in the Legislative Assembly after Mr. Kumaraswamy’s election to the Lok Sabha, Mr. Mahesh said it was natural for leaders to feel hurt or disappointed when they are not given the posts they desire. “But they should maintain discipline and remain in the party with loyalty and honesty,” he said.

While claiming that the party leadership was considering an alternative to Mr. Deve Gowda in Chamundeshwari, Mr. Mahesh, however, noted that the partymen would abide by the leadership’s decision if it chooses to field Mr. Deve Gowda again.