C.S. Putte Gowda, three-time legislator from Shravanabelagola Assembly constituency in Hassan and a long-time associate of the Janata Parivar, submitted his resignation to the membership of the Assembly on Monday.
Speaking to The Hindu , Speaker K.G. Bopaiah said that Mr. Gowda’s resignation had been accepted.
Mr. Putte Gowda will also quit from his membership to the Janata Dal (Secular), according to H.K. Javare Gowda, Hassan District JD (S) president. Mr. Putte Gowda had announced his decision to quit the JD (S) some six months ago and was waiting for budget session to conclude, said Mr. Javare Gowda.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to sources in the JD (S), Mr. Putte Gowda was forced to resign as MLA in view of the announcement of elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULB). “He has to work for the victory of candidates of the Congress to which he intended to join,” said the source.
It is believed that Mr. Putte Gowda decided to quit the JD (S) on learning that he would not get ticket from the party to contest in the coming Assembly election and the party is inclined to field Hassan District Central Cooperative Bank President C.N. Balakrishna from Shravanabelagola. Mr. Gowda, however, attributed his decision to alleged harassment at the hands of JD (S) legislative party leader H.D. Revanna.