Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Aug 5: G T Devegowda, who has been a strong supporter of JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, and who had defeated former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, twice from Chamundeshwari constancy in Mysuru, suddenly came up an announcement about his retirement from electoral politics.
Devegowda said he had taken this decision, having been hurt by the current political situation. He also expressed his frustration at having been allotted the department of higher education, which he did not like. Now, the question whether he has made up his mind to walk of JD(S) has arisen.
Speaking to media persons on Sunday, he said that he had not got even a single rupee from the JD(S) to come out victorious against Siddaramaiah. "I had sought revenue or cooperation department in the previous government as I had interested in them. I was disturbed as I was given higher education department as it was compulsion of the coalition government. I handled the department although I was not interested in it. Even now I find that coping with current day politics is very difficult," he explained. He also revealed that instead of resisting or fighting it out, he finds it better to leave politics.
He said he did not get time to thank the people of his constituency for handing him a huge victory against Siddaramaiah as he was busy as a minister. He also dismissed the notion that he might cross over to the BJP. These rumours were backed by the reports that he had worked in favour of the BJP during Lok Sabha elections and that he had publicly expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, had also praised him in public functions. Devegowda said he will not join the BJP. He agreed that he had supported the victory of BJP Lok Sabha candidates, V Srinivas Prasad and Pratap Simha in the district.
He also expressed his anger at the fact that his party denied ticket for his son, Harish Gowda, from Hunsur assembly constituency. He recalled that when the assembly ticket was denied, his party leaders had promised to make him MLC but did not keep the word.