JD(S) to elect new state president soon

The JD(S) on Saturday decided to elect a new state president as Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who currently holds the post, is finding it difficult to devote time for party activities.

“I myself made this suggestion (to replace him) to the party leaders. I have the responsibility to run the government and provide effective administration,” Kumaraswamy told reporters after attending a meeting of district JD(S) presidents chaired by party national president H D Deve Gowda at the JD(S) office.

However, the party is yet to pick a replacement for Kumaraswamy. Names of state JD(S) Youth wing president Madhu Bangarappa and senior leaders P G R Sindhia and A H Vishwanath are doing the rounds for the post. It is said the party leadership will pick a leader belonging to the backward classes for the post.

The JD(S) has decided to revamp the state unit with an aim to strengthen the party ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls. “We have decided to form a panel of senior leaders for revamping the office-bearers. The committee’s recommendations will be deliberated upon in the JD(S) national executive committee meeting next month,” Gowda said.

Sources said the leaders discussed preparations for the Lok Sabha elections and the upcoming urban local bodies polls in the state. Gowda is learnt to have directed the leaders to launch a campaign to educate people, especially farmers, on the farm loan waiver done by the Kumaraswamy government.