JD(S) mega convention today; no invite for rebel MLAs

As a result of the rebellion that surfaced in the JD(S) camp recently, which turned out to be a huge embarrassment, the party is holding its first mega convention in Mandya, on Thursday.

It is said that the convention would be a show of strength by the party with more than 20,000 workers expected to attend it from all the taluks of the district. It will be held at the Silver Jubilee Park. Party leaders Basavaraj Horatti, Rajya Sabha member Kupendra Reddy, MLCs Narayanaswamy, N Appajigowda, Sandesh Nagaraj, K T Srikantegowda, and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Marithibbegowda will be felicitated on the occasion.

JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, MP C S Puttaraju, elected representatives and other leaders of the party will attend.

Rebels snub

However, suspended MLAs of the district N Cheluvarayaswamy and Rameshbabu Bandisiddegowda have decided to stay away from the convention. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Rameshbabu said, he has not received any invitation.

“If the party had invited, I could have thought about it,” he said.

Resignation

Meanwhile, Kambadahalli Puttaswamy, has resigned from the post of Mandya taluk president on the eve of the convention. He had sent his resignation to district unit president D Ramesh, holding former MLA M Srinivas and his attitude responsible for his resignation. However, it is a known fact that Puttaswamy is a close associate of Chaluvarayaswamy.

However, the victory of JD(S) candidate K T Srikantegowda from the South Graduates constituency to the Legislative Council, amidst the high drama, has given some solace to party workers.