MYSURU, 25 NOV

JD(S) expelled leader CM Ibrahim on Monday said Channapatna byelection results must be an eye-opener for the party. JD(S) State President HD Kumaraswamy must learn lessons now and stop converting the party into a family company, Ibrahim added.

Around 12 JD(S) legislators, including State party core committee President GT Devegowda, were dissatisfied with the party's situation. “I am working to bring them together. I convinced GT Devegowda to remain in the party when he planned to join Congress before Assembly polls. He would have become a minister in the State had I not held back him before the polls,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim said though he and Devegowda worked shoulder to shoulder to strengthen the party by touring across the State, the latter was cornered in the party now. “Though I am expelled from JD(S), I can revive the party if both Kumaraswamy and former prime minister HD Devegowda come out of NDA.”

The former JD(S) state president said Kumaraswamy was elected from Channapatna Assembly constituency before by spending Rs 4 crore and garnering the support of Muslims like him. “Though he spent Rs 150 crore now, he failed to elect his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Channapatna bypolls,” he said.

Ibrahim has plans to float new party: GTD

GT Devegowda said Ibrahim, who met him at his residence here on Monday, conveyed to him about floating a new party and third front in the State including disgruntled MLAs of all parties. “I told him that such measures needed more party workers to build and strengthen the party. He said Ibrahim would meet him again after touring the State, collecting the opinion from various quarters. –Salar News