Seer brokers peace between warring JD(S) leaders

In an effort to bringing a truce between estranged JD(S) leaders, H D Kumaraswamy and N Chaluvarayaswamy, leaders belonging to Vokkaliga community on Monday arranged a meeting of the leaders in the presence of Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri Mutt.

The two leaders, who had serious political differences of late, are learnt to have decided to shun their differences and work towards strengthening the party in the coming days following the seer’s advice. The Vokkaliga mutt pontiff is understood to have asked them to work together in the interest of the State.

The development in the JD(S) comes at a time when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has begun facing trouble over land denotification issue.

Chaluvarayaswamy had of late developed differences with Kumaraswamy and his father- JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda over party organisational matters. Chaluvarayaswamy had opposed the style of functioning of Gowda, especially for taking unilateral decisions on party affairs. JD(S) legislators H C Balakrishna, Puttanna and Zameer Ahmed Khan, too, had opposed the father-son duo in this regard.

So much so that they had of late stopped taking part in party activities, and they were said to be not  talking terms with Kumaraswamy. It was also speculated that the estranged leaders were hobnobbing with the Congress leaders. Upset with the development, Gowda had even stated recently that he would not stop those who wish to leave the party.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kumaraswamy said they do not have any differences and claimed that a section of people are only trying to take advantage by spreading rumours.

“We did not discuss politics in the meeting. Mutt is an apolitical institution. It is true that I had become silent in recent times, but differences were not as serious as it was made to be,” Chaluvarayaswamy said.

It is said that Balakrishna, Puttanna and Zameer will also be asked to meet the seer soon.