DHNS

Bangalore, Nov 1: Former CM H D Kumaraswamy will now lead the JD(S) in the State. The post of State unit president was vacant following the death of Merajuddin Patel.

Kumaraswamy, who is also JD(S) legislative party leader, was unanimously elected by senior leaders of the party, at a meeting chaired by JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda here on Friday. Kumaraswamy will formally take charge after November 9 at a party’ function.

With this, the entire JD(S) will now officially be in the control Gowda and his sons. According to party insiders, Gowda elder son H D Revanna may become the legislative party leader. This is a plan by Gowda to ensure that both of his sons enjoy authority in the party, sources said.
 
 
Though the names of Basavaraj Horatti (who is a Lingayat) and Iqbal Ansari (who belongs to the minority community) were making the rounds as likely candidates, a majority of party leaders in the meeting wanted Kumaraswamy to take up the responsibility. “Deve Gowda initially raised objections saying that ‘People would call it an appa makkalu paksha (father-son party) if Kumaraswamy is elected.” But he remained silent when the leaders insisted on it, sources said.