Disgruntled party workers set JD(S) office on fire

A group of JD(S) workers vented its ire against the party leadership by setting ablaze the party office here on Tuesday. The party had reportedly not issued ‘B’ form to taluk unit president C P Nagaraju for the Zilla Panchayat polls, thus triggering the emotions of his supporters.

The dejected supporters of Nagaraju burnt the portraits of JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and State president HD Kumaraswamy that adorned the office, and raised slogans against the leaders.

According to sources, Nagaraju had secured a B form to contest from Hampapura ZP constituency. Meanwhile, it is said Mymul director Eregowda too got a B form from HD Revanna for the same constituency.

Accompanied by MLC Sandesh Nagaraj, KR Nagara MLA Sa Ra Mahesh and other leaders, Nagaraju met Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy and had requested the leaders to declare him as the official candidate.

But on Tuesday, Eregowda submitted a B form issued by the party, which angered Nagaraju’s supporters. They damaged the furniture, files and documents by setting them on fire.

Fire personnel rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. MLA Chikkamadu, SP Abhinav Khare and others visited the spot.

Nagaraju told Deccan Herald that he had worked hard to strengthen the party at the grassroots level in the taluk.

Hampapura was his constituency and his supporters have been pressuring him to contest and not withdraw from the polls, he added.

Reacting to the incident, party candidate Eregowda said, “Nagaraju and his supporters should abide by the decision of the party leadership. They should not involve in such acts,” he said.

MLA Chikkamadu said that the party would sort out the issue. No complaints would be lodged in this regard, he added.