MLC H.M. Revanna, MLA Varthur Prakash attend a marriage; meet former MP

Mysuru: Days after Chamarajanagar Member of Parliament R. Dhruvanarayan met Congress leader and former MP A.H. Vishwanath asking him not to leave the party, MLC H.M. Revanna and MLA Varthur Prakash met Vishwanath and held talks here yesterday.

Party sources said that since Vishwanath has been openly criticising Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, his joining JD(S) was imminent and the meeting was another attempt to convince Vishwanath not to leave the party. It may be recalled here that MP Dhruvanarayana had called on Vishwanath at his residence in K.R. Nagar on May 2.

Revanna, Varthur Prakash and Vishwanath were closeted in the Government Guest House for over 30 minutes. According to sources, the latest rounds of talks have been held as per Siddharamaiah’s directions.

The leaders, however, denied that the talks were held at the behest of Siddharamaiah. “We had come to Mysuru for a wedding and we have come to meet Vishwanath in our personal capacity,” Revanna and Prakash said. Even Vishwanath denied that the leaders had met him as directed by the CM.

Sources said that when Revanna and Prakash saw Vishwanath, they asked him not to leave Congress.

Stopping them at the middle of their conversation, Vishwanath reportedly said, “You have come to a wedding and let us speak about the ceremony and not other issues.”

Revanna even told that CM had no issues with him. “Siddharamaiah has no problems with you and I can telephone him and connect him to you,” he reportedly said.

Vishwanath then told Revanna according to sources, “I am not in a position to speak to him even if you call. If I had to talk to him, I would call him myself. If CM wants to speak to me let him call.”

Later, speaking to reporters, Revanna and Prakash expressed confidence that Vishwanath will not leave Congress and join JD(S).  

“Kurubas will never join JD(S). Vishwanath will get suitable position in the Congress,” Prakash said.