The rift in the JD(S) appears to be growing wide with Magadi MLA C Balakrishna on Monday challenging the party State president H D Kumaraswamy to expel him from the party.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Balakrishna said that he and some other leaders of JD(S), with the consent of party supremo H D Deve Gowda, had met Congress leaders to discuss about alliance in the Council polls.
“But, Kumaraswamy has tarnished our image by branding us as Congress agents. We are pained by his statement that we are damaging the party. If he is convinced that I have indulged in anti-party activities, let him expel me from the party,” Balakrishna said.
He demanded that Kumaraswamy should either withdraw his statement or else initiate action against him.
Balakrishna said that he was at pains to understand the silence adopted by Deve Gowda over Kumaraswamy’s statement. He said that Gowda should have clarified the issue.
“The alliance with Congress will benefit Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy and none else. We had been for the talks only in the interest of the party. Kumaraswamy should realise that we will not be benefited by the alliance,” Balakrishna said.
He said that it was not right on the part of Kumaraswamy to issue such statements in public, being the State president of a political party. He said Kumaraswamy could have discussed the issue directly with him. “Despite this, I won’t leave JD(S). Where shall I go by deserting this party. I am a senior leader here and I don’t want to be a junior in any other party,” Balakrishna said.
Published 30 November 2015, 20:30 IST