Not responsible If my statement is misconstrued: GTD

Mangaluru: Chamundeshwari MLA and JD(S) State Core Committee Chairman G.T. Devegowda (GTD) has said “I am not responsible if anyone takes me wrong. I didn’t go for campaigning for the recently concluded by-election to Channapatna Constituency, as I was not invited by anybody.”

Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, Gowda asked, what wrong have I committed in Chamundi Hill? The Congress leaders are seeking the resignation of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, while the JD(S) and BJP leaders are demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Besides, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the Opposition Leader in Legislative Assembly R. Ashok, demanding his arrest also, said GTD.

“Similarly, FIRs have been filed against several MLAs, Central and State leaders. However, the mere filing of FIR is not the ground to declare them as guilty and to press for their resignation. If that is the reason for upping the ante, everybody, whose name is mentioned in the FIR should submit their resignation. I spoke on these lines. What can I do, if my opinion was misconstrued,” asserted GTD.

Continuing, GTD said, he was on tour as the State Core Committee chief, when Kumaraswamy himself conducted the meeting of the Core Committee and elected the JD(S) Legislature Party (JDLP) leader. Subsequently, JDLP Leader Suresh Babu and State Youth President of the party Nikhil Kumaraswamy came to Mysuru for the party’s membership enrolment drive.

“I also participated in the membership enrolment drive, on the invitation of Nikhil Kumaraswamy over phone. While addressing the programme, former MLA S.R. Mahesh said, he will be vested with power henceforth to issue B-Form, neither the party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda nor H.D. Kumaraswamy. However, Nikhil Kumaraswamy cleared the air saying that Mahesh spoke in haste and also apologised on his behalf,” said GTD.

GTD said “Despite being a Core Committee President, my name was dropped from the list of 40 star campaigners during the by-election. No leaders including Nikhil, H.D. Deve Gowda, H.D. Kumaraswamy and Anitha Kumaraswamy invited me for the campaign. Hence I didn’t go for campaigning and also not aware about the possibilities of the outcome.”