JD(S) MLA says he will not work for party in gram panchayat elections

Mysuru: JD(S) leader and Chamundeswari constituency MLA G T Devegowda who has been staying away from party activities for a long due to various reasons, has clarified that he would not work for the party in gram panchayat elections.

While JD (S) has come out with its list of leaders who would lead gram panchayat election campaign in all seven taluks of Mysuru, Mr Devegowda has been appointed in-charge for Hunsur Assembly constituency.

But the veteran politician did not participate in the preparatory meeting of JD (S) for GP elections in Mysuru on Sunday. Instead, he inaugurated district 'mythological play' theatre directors and musicians association and even sang a theatre song on the occasion.

Later speaking to media persons, he said that he was not directly informed by the party about his appointment as Hunsur in-charge. "I only got to know it via media reports. I was not even invited to JD (S) leaders' meeting held in Mysuru on Sunday. Party leader H D Kumarswamy has said that he would handle Chamundeswari constituency and may be since I am well aware of Hunsur I have been made its in-charge. But I would not go to either Hunsur or Chamundeshari. Since the GP elections are not fought on party symbols, I would remain neutral," he said.

Meanwhile, JD(S) KR Nagar MLA Sa Ra Mahesh who has not been on good terms with Mr Devegowda for some time, met the latter at Jaladarshini guest house in Mysuru on Sunday. Later, he told media persons that Mr Devegowda would return to active politics. "He is still with JD (S) and he will continue to be with the party. I will apologise if I have upset him. If needed Kumarswamy will also meet him," Mr Mahesh said. But Mr Devegowda did not react to questions by media persons after his meeting with Mr Mahesh. He merely said that the meeting was personal.