Mysuru: In a sudden development ahead of the Assembly polls, city JD(S) President K. Harishgowda has been sacked and is replaced by city corporator K.T. Cheluvegowda.

This development is seen as a result of the internal bickerings within the city JD(S) with the JD(S) top brass almost certain to allot the party ticket to former VC Prof. K.S. Rangappa from Chamaraja Assembly segment instead of Harishgowda, a strong aspirant for the party ticket, who had worked assiduously for strengthening the party base for over 10 years.

Harishgowda who had the strong backing of former PM and JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, former Minister H.D. Revanna and his wife Bhavani Revanna, was a keen aspirant for the party ticket even in the 2013 Assembly polls. Harishgowda had then backed off from the polls when the party decided to field 4-time BJP MLA H.S. Shankaralingegowda, who had just defected to the JD(S).

Harishgowda, eyeing the 2018 Assembly polls, had done a lot of ground work in Chamaraja Constituency. But his wish of contesting the poll seems to have been shattered with the party top brass backing former Prof. Rangappa, who is also a relative of H.D. Deve Gowda.

Annoyed by the party’s decision, Harishgowda recently held several meetings with his followers from across Chamaraja Constituency, following which he has decided to contest as a rebel candidate. In this backdrop, the JD(S) top brass has sacked him from the post.

K.T. Cheluvegowda is new City JD(S) President

Soon after sacking Harishgowda as the City Party Chief, the JD(S) appointed four time city Corporator K.T. Chaluvegowda as the new City JD(S) President.

H.D. Deve Gowda handed over the letter of appointment to Cheluvegowda at the party’s headquarters in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Former Mayor R. Lingappa, Corporator M. Shivanna and others were present.