Hassan: Hassan district in-charge and Minister for Animal Husbandry A. Manju has warned former PM and national president of Janata Dal (S) H.D. Deve Gowda that he would take it as a challenge if Mr Gowda’s family members try to fulfill their self-interests through political manoeuvres.
Mr Manju, in a letter addressed to Mr Gowda on June 1, expressed ire over the attitude of JD(S) Zilla Panchayat members who have remained absent at the meetings called thrice to elect the new president of Hassan ZP.
In his letter, Mr Manju informed Mr Gowda that the people of Hassan district would be under the impression that the 23 Zilla Panchayat members of JD(S) were made to remain absent at the meetings held on May 5, 16 and 30 at the behest of Mr Gowda only to safeguard the family interests of the former PM’s family.
Though, Mr Manju has not stated what the family interests of Mr Gowda’s family are, it is suspected that they want Mr Gowda’s daughter-in-law and wife of MLA H.D. Revanna, Bhavani, a ZP member representing Halekote, to be the ZP president.
But, the reservation announced by the state government allots the ZP president post to a Scheduled Tribes (woman) candidate while the vice-president’s post has been set aside for general category. As per the reservation announced, Congress member Swetha Devaraj, is the only eligible candidate to occupy the post in the 40-member ZP.
The Minister added that people of Hassan would feel Mr Gowda is blocking the way for a ST woman from getting the ZP chief post. The 23 JD(S) members would face disqualification if they remain absent at the meeting on June 3 to elect a ZP chief.
