Hassan: Dismissing the resignation of former MLC, Abdul Azeem from his party as of little consequence, former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda claimed here on Monday that it would have no impact on the party, which had the strong support of its workers.
“I had said in February that those keen on quitting the JDS were free to leave. Let anybody go," he declared. " I have not only groomed my sons (H D Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna ) but also many leaders of various communities in politics. But now many are leaving the party after enjoying power,” he regretted, speaking to reporters here.
While recalling his struggle to build the Janata Party in the 1970s, he said he would do so again. “The Congress under former PM Indira Gandhi was leading national politics and I was in the opposition.
I strived hard then to build the Janata Party and I have the necessary cadres to build it again. I will tour all 224 assembly constituencies in the state and work to strengthen it,” he asserted.
The veteran leader said he intended to leave the affairs of the party in the safe hands of a leader who would work for its survival after him.
Asked about former JDS MLA, A.T. Ramaswamy’s recent spat with PWD and district in-charge minister, H C Mahadevappa, Mr Gowda defended him saying the minister was at fault for not keeping MLAs in the loop about development issues.
