The resignation of Janata Dal (S) State president A.H. Vishwanath comes at a time the party is already facing a crisis following its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, which also saw the defeat of its patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda. It also comes just ahead of the coalition partners’ plans to expand the State Cabinet even as discontentment brews.
Mr. Vishwanath’s decision suggests this discontent is not restricted to him. Many senior leaders feel that those beyond the Gowda family fold get little recognition in the JD(S). A leader said seniors in the party were worried about Mr. Vishwanath emerging as a “alternative power centre” for disgruntled leaders after his resignation.
Many grouses
Mr. Vishwanath was apparently upset with the way his community (Kuruba) was being treated by JD(S) leaders. His frustration had come to the fore after the party took a beating in the K.R. Nagar Municipal Council elections. Mr. Vishwanath had lashed out at Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh, accusing him of denying ticket to aspirants from the Kuruba community.
Mr. Vishwanath had also long nurtured a grouse over his non-inclusion in the coalition coordination committee despite being the JD(S) State president. Targeting committee chairperson Siddaramaiah, he said on Tuesday that the former Chief Minister had kept the presidents of both the Congress and the JD(S) out of the committee, reducing it to “just a formality”.
His anger against leaders of his own party for not insisting on his inclusion was also apparent. Reacting to a question on why JD(S) leaders had not done so, he shot back, “Ask that question to [them].”
Ministerial aspirant
Another clear issue was his aspiration for a Cabinet post. When asked about it, he responded candidly, “I will not refuse [it] if a Cabinet berth is offered to me. But I will not ask for any position.” However, he categorically denied the rumour of him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party following his open admiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his win.
Immediately, this development will upset the plans of Mr. Deve Gowda, who had plans to tour the State with Mr. Vishwanath to organise and instil confidence among party workers, whose morale is down following the Lok Sabha polls.
Mr. Vishwanath had earlier expressed his desire to step down from the position, which he had held since August 2018, citing health issues. However, he had continued after being persuaded by Mr. Gowda. However, according to party sources, this time he is determined to stick with his decision. Furthermore, the party itself may not urge him to reconsider.
