Bengaluru: Clearly stung by Congress leaders blaming the alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) and the “betrayal” by Vokkaligas for its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha poll, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda asked with sarcasm on Friday if the Vokkaligas were responsible for the defeat of senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in Kalaburagi too.
Addressing his party's backward community meeting at the JD(S) office here, Mr Deve Gowda, said, “Is the JD(S) the reason for Congress’ defeat in Kolar as well?"
Claiming that he had never asked the Congress to make Mr Kumaraswamy Chief Minister, Mr Gowda said he had in fact suggested Mr K.H. Muniyappa or Mr Kharge for the post.
“But the Congress high command's representatives came from New Delhi and said that Mr Kumaraswamy should become Chief Minister. Now, some leaders are talking to the high command and the media is aware about this,” he added.
Meanwhile, going by sources, six time MLA from Sakaleshpur H.K. Kumaraswam is likely to become the new president of the state unit of JD(S). Although his name is almost finalised for the post, it will be announced at the JD(S) rally in Bengaluru, slated for July 11 or 12, according to party sources.
Mr Vishwanath had backed Mr Madhu Bangarappa, who is from the backward community, for the post. The other two leaders who were in the race are B M Farook and H K Kumaraswamy.
