HASSAN/BENGALURU: The decision of the party disciplinary committee on the fate of the eight Janata Dal (Secular) legislators who cross voted in the Rajya Sabha elections, is final, declared former Prime Minister and national president of JD(S) H.D. Deve Gowda.
Asked whether the doors were still open for the rebels to arrive at a rapprochement, Mr Gowda said even if the rebels who were suspended from the party, hold talks with state JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy , he cannot take a decision on his own.
The eight JD(S) MLAs including Cheluvarayaswamy, Zameer Ahmed, and H.C. Balakrishna cross-voted for the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha poll and were suspended.
Mr Gowda plans to embark on a tour of constituencies represented by the suspended MLAs to hold talks with local leaders to find alternate leaders in the respective assembly constituencies. He also hinted at holding organisational polls in November beginning with the taluks and later the state and national executive level polls.
On his telephonic talks with Congress leaders V. Srinivas Prasad and Ambarish who were dropped from the Siddaramaiah cabinet, Mr Gowda said, “There is nothing to speculate over the telephonic talks. It was a courtesy call since both leaders were hurt after they were dropped. They were once part of Janata Dal (Secular).”
Congress can’t unseat me as long as I enjoy Gowda’s trust, says DHS
Amid growing speculation about leaders of JD (S) teaming up with those of the Congress to oust D H Shankara Murthy, Chairman, Legislative Council, the leader himself expressed confidence that he would continue to occupy the post in case the understanding between BJP and JD(S) remains unchanged in upper House.
“JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, with whom I enjoy a good rapport, has blessed me,” Mr Shankara Murthy told the media here on Thursday.
His statement assumes significance following behind the scene activities on possible tie-up between Congress and JD(S) to Mr Shankara Murthy.
Ruling out any fissures in BJP-JD(S) tie-up in the Legislative Council, Mr Shankara Murthy said “I have been meeting Mr Gowda on his birthday to seek his blessings. Recently, when I went to his house to wish him, both of us conversed for 45 minutes. The JD (S) leader asked me whether there is any threat to my position in the Council,” adding that Mr Gowda patted and blessed him when the party position was explained to him. He got elected as Chairman when BJP had 38 members but now the number has decreased to 24 including himself, but JD (S) has 12 members. Besides, three independent members are going to support the BJP. All these add up to 39 in the 75 member House. Sources in JD (S) said party MLC T. Saravana, took Mr Shankara Murthy to Mr Gowda’s residence.
