Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 29: JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, has decided to have a dalit as the state president of the party. He has chosen MLA, H K Kumaraswamy, who has won from Sakleshpur reserved constituency for six consecutive times, for the post. It is almost certain that Kumaraswmay will succeed outgoing state president H Vishwanath.

The announcement about his choice is expected to be made at the mega convention of scheduled communities proposed to be held on July 10 or 11.

Although names of B B Ningaiah and M Thimmarayappa are also in circulation for the post, Kumaraswamy has got preference because his unflinching loyalty to the party, soft nature, and his interest in taking everyone along. On Friday, Deve Gowda summoned Kumaraswamy to the party office and convinced him to take over the mantle.

However, sources in the party say that chief minster H D Kumaraswamy, and outgoing state president H Vishwanath, were inclined to choose Madhu Bangarappa as the latter's successor. At a meeting of leaders of scheduled castes and tribes he addressed in the party office on Friday, Deve Gowda said that a person from scheduled communities would be made state president, and that announcement about it would be made at the mega convention of scheduled castes and tribes at the palace ground son July 10 or 11.