Deve Gowda, HDK re-elected JD(S) national and State presidents respectively

On the occasion of its silver jubilee, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Friday re-elected unopposed former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy as the party’s national and State presidents, respectively.

A unanimous decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the party’s national council here to mark the 25 years of formation of the regional party.

The party’s national council observed that there was a dire need to strengthen the party organisation under the leadership of these two seasoned leaders while maintaining that there was a huge potential for the party at the national as well as the State level.

Briefing mediapersons after the party’s national council meeting, JD (S) Legislature Party leader C. B. Suresh Babu said that it was the unanimous view that these two leaders should take up the responsibility of stewarding the party organisation.

Pointing out that the JD (S) was the only regional party of Karnataka for now, he said the outfit could retain its identity due to the hard work and commitment of Mr. Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy.

He said the national council had expressed its appreciation towards party’s youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy for embarking upon a State tour to strengthen the party and for launching membership enrolment drive.

Tirade against CM

Earlier addressing the national council, both Mr. Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy took a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was associated with the party earlier. Mr. Gowda accused him of quitting the party despite strengthening his political career through JD (S).

Taking potshots at the Chief Minister for his recent remarks that he would not have become the Chief Minister if he had continued in the JD (S), Mr. Kumaraswamy maintained that the Congress would not have given importance to Mr. Siddaramaiah if he had not been made Deputy Chief Minister twice by the JD (S) earlier.

He also hailed Mr. Gowda’s contribution to the State’s development, and said he had not only nurtured the political career of several political leaders, but had also contributed immensely to the welfare of various communities.

Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy said he did not aspire to hold any top party positions now and wanted to work as a party worker to turn the dream of his grandfather that the party should come to power independently.

Meanwhile, the national council decided to adopt two resolutions on taking up a campaign to protect the interests of farmers and also regarding strengthening the party organisation. These resolutions would get clearance from the party’s national executive meeting to be held in Bengaluru on Saturday.