G T Devegowda set to be removed as JD(S) core committee chief

Former minister and senior JD(S) leader G T Devegowda, whose lack of involvement in party affairs has been the subject of much speculation, will be removed as the president of his party’s core committee.

A decision to this effect was taken at a recent meeting of the party chaired by Union Minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy. A prominent leader in the Old Mysore region, Devegowda’s conduct over the past year has ruffled quite a few feathers in the party.

Apart from his absence at party events, Devegowda has not held back from criticising both the JD(S) and even Kumaraswamy.

At the height of the controversy surrounding the alleged MUDA scam when the JD(S), along with the BJP, was demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation, Devegowda asked Kumaraswamy if he would have left office had similar allegations been made against him.

“Not just once, but G T Devegowda has spoken against the party at least thrice in the past one year,” said a JD(S) MLA.

G T Devegowda had not held back from expressing his disappointment with the party leadership after he was overlooked for the position of JD(S) Floor Leader in the Assembly, which was subsequently given to Chikkanayakanahalli MLA C B Suresh Babu.

Meanwhile, the core committee members have asked Kumaraswamy to choose the next president. Although names of Mallesh Babu, an MP, and Arakalgud MLA A Manju were floated for the post, both of them reportedly refused the post.

An official order on the restructuring of the core committee is likely to be issued in a day or two, a senior JD(S) leader said.

Enduring bonhomie with former PM

Interestingly, G T Devegowda’s relationship with former PM H D Deve Gowda have not soured despite the former’s frustration with the party. G T Devegowda even called on the former PM when the latter was hospitalised recently.

Although the former PM reportedly tried to convince Devegowda to take an active role in the party, the latter has kept his distance.