JD(S) keen to shed 'father-son' tag, forms core committee

Seeking to shed the tag of "father-son" party, Janata Dal (S) led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today decided to form a core committee to run the party affairs even as it battled reported family rivalry over generational change.

"The reason for deciding to constitute a core committee is because of reports that all decisions pertaining to the party are decided by father and sons (H D Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna). We want to clear such type of misconception," Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to reporters after the JD(S) legislature party meeting here, he said the committee would consist of members from the legislative assembly and the council as also a few senior leaders.

JD(S)' decision to send a message of collective leadership comes as the party is struggling to stem intra- party differences and finding too hot to handle the issue of grooming the third generation of the family to manage its affairs.

Several JD(S) legislators are also reportedly unhappy over the family's stranglehold over the party.

"All decisions relating to party, its functioning will be taken by the core committee, special powers will be given to this committee. Details of the committee will be out in two to three days," Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister, said.

Kumaraswamy said "....a clear message has to go publicly that this party will function under collective leadership and talks such as all decisions regarding the party comes only out of Padmanabhanagar house (Deve Gowda's residence) should end."

Asked whether the family tag to the party will go once core committee comes into existence and about the representation from Gowda family in it, he said "it is being constituted to overcome such tag ....Whether we should be there or not, it will be decided."

He maintained there are no differences within the party. On reports about dissidence, he said 35 MLAs and 10 MLCs attended today's meeting and those absent had sent letters citing "genuine reasons" for their absence and expressing support to the decisions taken in the meeting. "Only Zameer Ahmed has some issues, we will talk to him and sort out things."