JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda, on Tuesday, held a meeting with party leaders from Mysore district. Mr Gowda is said to have convened the meeting as former minister and the party leader in Mysore region G T Deve Gowda expressed his wish to join the BJP.

Mr Gowda said “anybody who is willing to quit the party can go. Similarly, whoever has faith in party’s ideology can join us. No matter how many disgruntled leaders quit, the party will not lose its strength. I will go to every constituency across the State and make all efforts to strengthen the party,” he added.

Speaking to reporters Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said “Many leaders who have identified in different groups are in touch. Within a couple of days everything will be cleared,” he said.

Reacting to protests regarding his reported statement asking Veerashaiva mutt seer not to interfere in state’s politics, Mr Kumaraswamy said he has not made any derogatory remarks against any swamiji.

The Veerashaiva Sanghas are staging protests to take political mileage, he commented.