K R Pete: The Janata Dal (Secular) party is facing the heat from its own leaders, who are now targeting former prime minister and party supremo H D Deve Gowda and family for the party’s conduct. Party leaders like G T Devegowda, S T Srinivas and others have expressed their displeasure towards the way in which the party treats its leaders as well as the interference of Gowda’s family and their close associates in every decision.
Addressing the media amidst the turmoil, disqualified JD(S) legislator Narayana Gowda, on Saturday, September 14, lashed out at HDD and warned him not to provoke him to open his mouth.
“HDD must learn to love his country first, then his family,” he mocked. Warning HDD, he said, “He has spoken very ill about me. HDD do not provoke me.”
Speaking about his experience in the party, Narayana Gowda said, “Being in the party for the past five years, I have suffered a lot mentally and the women of the HDD family are the reason behind this. Do not destroy the state just for the sake of your family. HDD, remember that you have earned a name in politics somewhere down the line. I request you not to lose the name and fame that you have earned.”
Hinting at about the possibility of a mass resignation by his colleagues in the coming days, he said, “There are about 20 JD(S) legislators who are ready to tender their resignation. Let former minister H D Revanna keep them together.”
Accusing HDD’s elder son, former minister H D Revanna of being the reason for the downfall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, Narayana Gowda said, “He has made negative comments about my profession as an hotelier. Seeing my hotel business in Mumbai, he has opened a hotel in Hassan. He should be ashamed of himself.”
“I was the project in-charge of his hotel in Hassan. I looked after it till the project was completed. He even has a hotel in Bengaluru. So, is he not doing hotel business?” he questioned.
On HDD’s comment about his regret over being born a Vokkaliga rather than a Muslim, Narayana Gowda said, “HDD, you should remember that you were born to a poor farmer family and later rose to the post of Prime Minister. Just remember who took you till there. When you state that you should have been born a Muslim, it really hurts. Show some respect towards the Vokkaliga community.”
Commenting on Congress leader D K Shivakumar’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), he said, “The prime reason for DKShi’s arrest by the ED is the Devegowda family and not the Bharatiya Janata Party or former chief minister Siddaramaiah. DKShi will be out in a few days and will reveal everything to you all.”
