GTD not with JD(S), says H D Kumaraswamy

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday asserted that senior JD(S) leader and Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda is no longer with the party, questioning his loyalty and commitment.

Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Kumaraswamy cited Mr. Gowda’s recent public remarks praising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying such statements were inconsistent with continuing in the JD(S).

Describing Mr. Gowda’s claim of still being in the party as “ridiculous”, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “He praises Siddaramaiah to the skies. If someone praises the Congress Chief Minister and still claims to be in the JD(S), isn’t it laughable?”

Expressing disappointment over Mr. Gowda’s conduct over the past year, Mr. Kumaraswamy recalled his speech during the 2024 Dasara inauguration, where he stood by Mr. Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged MUDA controversy.

Referring to Mr. Gowda’s remarks questioning whether he himself would have resigned if faced with similar allegations, Mr. Kumaraswamy asked what wrong he had committed either in the MUDA issue or during his tenure as Chief Minister.

“Mr. Gowda effectively gave Siddaramaiah a certificate. He never gave any such certificate to me,” he said, questioning how he could keep Mr Gowda with him while trying to strengthen the JD(S).

At one point, the Union Minister appeared visibly irritated by repeated questions about Mr. Gowda. “Why do you keep bringing up his name? He is busy with leaders of other parties. Why should I discuss him? Please don’t take his name in front of me,” he told reporters.

On the party’s candidate for Chamundeshwari constituency in the next Assembly elections, Mr. Kumaraswamy said several capable aspirants were available, and the party would field a candidate in line with workers’ aspirations.

He said his clarification regarding Mr. Gowda’s position was intended to remove confusion among party workers.

Mr. Kumaraswamy also noted that he has had a long association with Chamundeshwari constituency, dating back to the 2006 by-election, held when the BJP and JD(S) were coalition partners, and expressed confidence that the party has strong candidates capable of winning there.

He further expressed confidence that the BJP–JD(S) alliance would win all 11 Assembly seats in Mysuru district in the next elections.

Responding to questions about which alliance partner would contest the Chamaraja constituency, he said there was no confusion and that the seat would go to whichever party fields the most winnable candidate. If the BJP has a stronger candidate, it would contest the seat, he added.