Asnotikar, GTD will not quit JD(S): Deve Gowda

Rajya Sabha member H D Deve Gowda, on Thursday, said that there is no question of former Minister Anand Asnotikar and MLA G T Devegowda quitting the JD(S).

Addressing media persons, in Hassan, he said, "Devegowda has spoken to me. There is no need for unnecessary speculations. Has any one of them told you about quitting the JD(S)? But, after losing the elections, Madhu Bangarappa has not come to the party office, for one-and-a-half years, despite me asking him to visit the office. He should understand the efforts of H D Kumaraswamy to make him MLA".

Without mentioning any names, Gowda said, "Some people have been saying that JD(S) will become non-existent by 2023. But, it is not possible for anyone to finish off the party. There are lakhs of party workers. New programmes would be chalked out for organising the party from the grassroots level".

Commenting on the hike in fuel and LPG prices, Gowda said, the price rise would burden the public and also farmers. To a query, he said, I will direct the party leaders to hold protests in all districts against the price rise and also on the problems faced by the people.