Thousands celebrate his 7th election as President of Karnataka State Co-operative Federation

Mysuru: A grand political rally was held in Mysuru this morning to mark Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda’s (GTD) recent election as President of the Karnataka State Co-operative Federation for the seventh time.

The rally drew a large crowd, estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 supporters, in what was seen as a show of strength by GTD ahead of the May 2028 Assembly elections.

The rally began at the Kote Anjaneyaswamy and Ganesha temples, where GTD and his wife Lalitha Devegowda performed pujas along with supporters.

The procession passed through major parts of the city, including Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, Town Hall, Gandhi Square, Chikka Gadiyara, D. Devaraja Urs Road and Dewan’s Road, before culminating at J.K. Grounds, where a public meeting is scheduled.

Supporters cheered GTD with traditional ‘Poornakumbha’ welcome, folk performances, huge apple and citrus garlands lifted by cranes and showers of flowers from earthmovers and excavators.

Large numbers of supporters from across the Chamundeshwari

Constituency arrived in buses and private vehicles.

Speaking to mediapersons before the procession, GTD, who has been in public life for decades, addressed speculation over his political future.

He said the rally was organised by people of his Constituency in response to what he described as recent political insults and developments and was not planned by him as a show of political strength.

On his strained relationship with the JD(S) leadership, GTD said his priority remained serving the people of his Constituency and the people of his Constituency would decide his future. He maintained that people valued his leadership more than party affiliations.

With more than a year to go for the next Assembly elections, the turnout has been viewed by local political observers as an early indication of election activity gaining momentumin Chamundeshwari.