No self-respecting leader can stay in JD(S): CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Friday, said, it is difficult for any self-respecting person to stay in the JD(S), due to the arbitrary ways of the party leadership.

Speaking in a public meeting here, he reiterated that the JD(S) is an opportunist party. “Many leaders have quit the party due to harassment. I also faced the same situation, when I was in the party. To make his son chief minister, Deve Gowda expelled me from the party. Those in the JD(S) should abide by the diktats like a ‘kole basava’,” he said.

The CM alleged that Deve Gowda is not able to see any other leader in the party, beyond his sons. “When H D Kumaraswamy wanted to form the government, joining hands with the BJP, Gowda announced that if he (Kumaraswamy) wants to form the government, let him do it on his dead body. But, soon after the coalition government was formed, he hailed his son as the best chief minister. Upset over the father-son behaviour, the JD(S) leaders are joining other parties,” he said.

“Deve Gowda has been saying that his last wish is to see his son as chief minister again. Are there no other leader in the party?” he questioned.

“The selfish Deve Gowda, ensured that S R Bommai government collapsed; he expelled Ramakrishna Hegde, meted out injustice to K N Nagegowda, Byregowda and others,” he criticised.