Bengaluru: JD (S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda said on Wednesday that leaders of other parties were inclined to joining his party, but their names will be disclosed during polls to the Assembly in 2018.
He told the media here that some of these leaders had discussed their future plans with him, and therefore, would not be appropriate to mention their names at this juncture. The doors of JD (S) are open for those who wish to join the party. “I don't like to talk lightly about anyone. The JD (S) is not anyone's property, but belongs to thousands of workers who are toiling day and night,” he added.
Adopting a soft stance vis-à-vis eight rebel legislators of JD(S) who have been suspended from the party on charges of cross voting during Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, Mr Gowda said he did not harbour personal enmity against anyone. “I will tour the entire state after winter session of parliament to galvanize the cadre ahead of Assembly polls. This time, we are confident that the state’s electorate will bless our party,” he added.
Mr Gowda said the state unit of his party would elect a new president, a post now held by Mr H D Kumaraswamy, on December 9. The national executive would meet here on Thursday.
In response to a question on the state government, Mr Gowda said it had not given permission to the Lokayukta to prosecute 106 corrupt officers. Besides, the anti-corruption body was weakened by the Congress government.
