BENGALURU: Hoping to bounce back in the next year’s Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, the leaders of Janata Dal Secular (JDS) on Monday constituted a core committee under the chairmanship of incumbent MLA and former minister G.T. Devegowda and the core committee has 20-members. Former MLA YSV Datta has been made the convenor of the core committee.
At a meeting held in Bengaluru under the chairmanship of JDS supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda and attended by former Chief Minister H.D. Kumraswamy decided to constitute the core committee unanimously.
G.T. Devegowda represents Chamundeshwari Assembly seat in Mysuru district and in the 2018 Assembly election, G. T. Devegowda emerged as the giant killer after he defeated Siddaramaiah of Congress party. Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018. Currently, Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister and he has been elected from Varuna Assembly seat in Mysuru.
YSV Datta who has been chosen as the convenor had represented Kadur Assembly seat in Chikkamagaluru district and during the Assembly elections, Datta made a quick return to JDS after quitting. Datta had joined the Congress party and returned to JDs after he was denied Congress ticket to contest from Kadur seat.
After the meeting, Kumaraswamy said national president H.D. Devegowda asked leaders to lay emphasis on strengthening the party and the party leaders would embark upon a Statewide tour after August 15.
In the Assembly election held in May this year, JDS won in 19 seats and the JDS leader stated that party leaders have been told not to get demoralized by the poor performance of the party in the recently concluded Assembly polls and prepare the party to face Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
Kumaraswamy stated that as per the directions of H.D. Devegowda, leaders have been told to reach out to the people on issue-based and pro-people matters.
The meeting was attended by leaders Bandeppa Kashempur, H.K. Kumaraswamy, Suresh Gowda, Annadani, Thippeswamy among others.
