Election of A. Krishnappa as the state president is being viewed in JD (S) inner circles as a shrewd move by party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda in the hope of multiple gains.
It appears like Mr. Gowda has taken the responsibility of reviving the party’s prospects and boosting its sagging image ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Shedding image
For one, Mr. Gowda is hoping to shed of “Vokkaliga party” tag and that of a “father-and-son party.” Mr. Krishnappa’s appointment is also being viewed as a move to appease backward classes and to counter Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who claims credit for championing cause of backward classes.
According to a senior party leader, Mr. Gowda is targeting Yadava (Golla) community votes in Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar, Chikballapur and Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituencies in view of coming general election. His aim is also to target backward classes votes in Mysore, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts.
Besides electing Mr. Krishnappa, Mr. Gowda in the meeting on Wednesday dissolved the elected body of the party. Election of state president and dissolution of elected body will be ratified in the National Executive of the party to be held in the last week of October.
Office bearers of the state body will be appointed in consultation with Mr. Krishnappa, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly H.D. Kumaraswamy, according to Mr. Gowda.
No core committee
Mr. Gowda, who had earlier floated the idea of constituting a core committee, which would be responsible for all the major decisions, has now spiked the idea. He has said that, instead, a political affairs committee will oversee the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections and selection of candidates.
However, not everyone in the party is satisfied with Mr. Krishnappa’s election, considering that joined the party only when Congress denied him ticket in the Assembly election.
“Though, many grumbled against the election of Mr. Krishnappa, they did not dare air their views,” confessed a leader on condition of anonymity. One of the contenders for the post was Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.
Gowda’s plans
Mr. Gowda appeas optimistic about the coming elections and has decided to tour the state regardless of his age. “I will also tour Kerala where JD (S) has tie-up with Left Parties,” Mr. Gowda said.
