Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Sep 13: There are ominous indications for the JD(S), which is already battered by the desertion by some MLAs and revolt by leaders like former minister, G T Devegowda and former state president of the party, H Vishwanath. 

G T Devegowda, who had made his intentions clear to stay neutral for the present, has also spoken of retiring from politics. As the JD(S) leaders were concerned about the developments, a meeting had been convened and Devegowda and some other leaders had chosen to remain aloof. A number of leaders have been criticizing the leadership of the party since sometime.

G T Devegowda 

G T Devegowda, who has expressed anger at the way the party leadership handled things, appears to have made up his mind to step out of the party. Even before that, he had dropped enough hints about his intentions by lavishly praising the policies and functioning of Narendra Modi-led union government. Even when he was minister in the coalition government, he had publicly appreciated Modi. If rumours are to be believed, seven party legislators are ready to desert the party and follow in the footsteps of Devegowda. Reports say that Srirangapatna MLA, Raveendra Srikantiah, Gubbi MLA, Srinivas, Arasikere MLA, Shivalinge Gowda, Belur MLA, K S Lingesh, Nagamangala MLA, Suresh Gowda, and Periyapatna MLA, Mahadev, are readying to leave the party. It is also said that B C Gaurishankar, son of former minister, Chennigappa, is also planning to leave the party. 

Old Mysore area districts like Hassan, Mandya, Tumakuru and Mysuru districts have for long remained the solid bastions of the JD(S). Now, several MLAs from this region have reportedly decided to dump the party. 

Reacting to criticism of the party leadership by G T Devegowda, national president of the JD(S), H D Deve Gowda, said that his party is powered by self respect, power of party workers, and support of the divine and therefore he will rise from the dust. He told Devegowda that the Lord has gifted him with longevity and therefore, he will make sure that his party will rise to power in front of the latter's eyes. He has already made it clear that no one from his family will fight the by-poll, and thus indirectly accepted that he had erred in giving tickets to his family members in the previous election. He said that local candidates would be fielded in Hunsur and K R Pet constituencies. He alleged that the disqualified MLAs have been posing threats to his party workers and sought protection for them from the government.