HD Deve Gowda protests against filing of case against JD(S) youth leader
KALABURAGI: Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda on Wednesday took the state government to task for allegedly making efforts to ‘diminish the spirit’ of JD(S) youth leader Sharangowda Patil Kandakur by registering a false case against him in connection with a protest staged by party activists during the recent visit of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to Yadgir town.
Even though Mr Kandakur was not present in Yadgir town on the day the protest was staged, his name had been included in the case, Mr Gowda alleged stating this has been done on the directions of the state government. “The Director General of Police has conceded that excesses happened during the police action. Even after the DGP gave an assurance, no action has been taken against the sub-inspector concerned. The DGP has changed his mind under pressure from the government”, Mr Gowda claimed.
The former PM arrived at Yadgir town to extend support to the dharna staged by Mr Kandakur along with his supporters for the past three days in protest against the lathicharge on JD(S) workers during the CM's visit. As prohibitory orders under section 144 were enforced since Tuesday night in view of the visit of Mr Gowda, only four leaders including Mr Gowda were allowed to stage a protest on Wednesday. The other three who took part in the dharna were former Minister Bandeppa Kashempur, Mr Kandakur himself and a JD(S) activist.
It may be mentioned that when Mr Yediyurappa visited Yadgir town after visiting the flood affected areas, some JD(S) activists tried to stop his convoy and register their anger at the cancellation of grants allocated to Gurmitkal constituency by previous Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Mr Gowda said he had not uttered a single word against Mr Yediyurappa after the latter became the CM. “But today I will stage a peaceful dharna in support of the youth leader. I have staged dharnas in the past even before the residence of Mr Yediyurappa. I have seen many ups and downs in my political life and I will not hesitate to hit the streets”, Mr Gowda declared.
