GT Deve Gowda Takes Out Procession in Show of Strength Against JD(S) First Family

Mysuru: In an apparent show of strength against the first family of his party JD(S), MLA GT Deve Gowda on Sunday held a massive procession without the posters or names of the party leaders here.

He asserted that the massive gathering of people from his constituency was a demonstration of their affection and support for him, amid apparent differences with JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy, who had recently said Deve Gowda's victory in the constituency was not due to an individual.

"For three years, people from my own party have insulted me. Even though I am an MLA, I was not invited to any party programme. I am holding this procession to respond to that humiliation," Deve Gowda said.

"This is not my show of strength. It is a symbol of the people's love," he said, as thousands of his supporters from Chamundeshwari constituency took part in a massive procession from Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple to J K Grounds in Mysuru.

Deve Gowda, who recently became president of the state Cooperative Federation, said the people had stood by him despite being sidelined by his party.

"The people of Chamundeshwari constituency have told me that I should not sit in a corner as they assured their support to me," he said.

The procession, which passed through major roads of Mysuru, saw the participation of people from villages across the Chamundeshwari constituency.

Deve Gowda was felicitated with two huge apple garlands and a giant rose garland, which were lifted using JCB machines.

Flowers were also showered on him using five JCB machines.

The event was organised without photographs or flags of other JD(S) leaders, in what appeared to be an effort to project Deve Gowda's independent support base in the constituency.

Speaking to reporters, Gowda said his supporters had rallied behind him despite attempts to keep him away from party programmes.

"Even though I am a sitting Janata Dal MLA, they (JD-S leadership) have kept me away and neglected me. Those who have suffered this pain have come here today," he said.

Gowda also referred to the recent election to the Cooperative Federation, alleging that efforts were made to prevent his election as president.

"But Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Cooperation Minister Lakshman Savadi called everyone and took a decision that I should be made president. So, I was unanimously elected," he said.

The development comes days after Kumaraswamy said the JD(S)'s strength in Chamundeshwari was not attributable to any individual and credited party workers and voters for its electoral victories.

"You have proved that the Chamundeshwari constituency is a stronghold of the Janata Dal. This is not something that has happened because of an individual," Kumaraswamy had said without mentioning the name of Deve Gowda.

"If we have continuously won this constituency over the last three years, it has not been because of an individual. In my opinion, this victory belongs to the blessed people of this constituency and my workers," he said.

Kumaraswamy had also expressed confidence that the JD(S) would retain its strength in Chamundeshwari in the 2028 Assembly elections.