GTD not enthusiastic to campaign in LS polls

Senior JD(S) leader of the region, also Mysuru District in-charge Minister G T Devegowda, who was out of station since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections schedule, returned to the city on Monday. However, he does not seem enthusiastic to campaign for the JD(S)-Congress candidates, especially Congress candidate C H Vijayashankar in Mysore-Kodagu constituency.

On his return, Devegowda had said, he will campaign for Vijayashankar. “The JD(S) and Congress workers will work for the victory of Vijayashankar. The party workers have minor differences, but, we have to work for the Congress candidate as per the agreement between the coalition partners,” he had said.

But, he also expressed his displeasure over the Congress leaders neglecting JD(S) leaders. He said, “The Congress leaders have neglected me, JD(S) state president A H Vishwanath and Periyapatna MLA Mahadev, by not displaying our photographs either in the pamphlets or the banners. The banners have photographs of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and H D Deve Gowda, but, not of local JD(S) leaders.”

“Due to the negligence by the Congress leaders, the JD(S) supporters are pressurising me not to be part of the campaign. A few Congress workers are not working for the JD(S) candidates in Hassan, Mandya and Tumkur Lok Sabha segments. The Congress party leaders should take measures to convince them to work in favour of JD(S) candidates. But, we will work for Vijayashankar,” he said.

To a query if he has any difference of opinion with his Cabinet colleague, also Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh, Devegowda said, “We have no differences and he will manage my responsibilities in my absence.”

However, sources close to him said, Devegowda is unhappy with not only Congress leaders, especially his bete noire former chief minister Siddaramaiah, whom he defeated in the last Assembly polls from Chamundeshwari constituency, but also with his own party leaders.

Neglected

It is learnt that Devegowda is unhappy with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy since the formation of the state Cabinet in May last itself.

“First, he was given the Higher Education Ministry, which he did not like. While nominating chairpersons to the boards and corporations in the district, the supporters of Sa Ra Mahesh were given preference.In appointment and transfers of officials in the district, his opinion is neglected. The interference of the members of the family of JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda in the affairs of the district has hurt him.
In all issues, Sa Ra Mahesh is getting priority,” sources said.