With an eye on the minority vote bank, JD (S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda on Sunday announced the appointment of former Minister Mirajuddin Patel as the new party State President. Patel will assume office on Monday at 12.30 pm and he will replace the incumbent M P Prakash, Gowda said at the Bangalore city JD (S) Minorities’ Convention organised at the party office in Bangalore.
“Mr Prakash himself wanted to be relieved from the party responsibility, as he was unable to actively take part in party activities. Hence, I have decided to appoint Mr Patel as the new State party president...I have taken the consent of Mr Prakash for the appointment of the new president,” he stated.
Patel’s appointment has come as a surprise to one and all, especially with the scheduled transfer of power to the coalition partner the BJP, being just a month away.
Organising party
Gowda further said Patel has a great responsibility in organising the party and asked him to tour the length and breath of the State, for this purpose. There is a need to discipline the party, at all levels and for that co-ordination is a must, he added.
For this, Mr Gowda said he will appoint  new office bearers at the State, district and taluk levels in two days.
Gowda issued a veiled threat to the BJP saying he would not allow any government to function if the interest of the minorities is not protected.