In a noteworthy development, the expelled national vice president of JD(S), C K Nanu, emerged as the new national president of the party, succeeding former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. This transition was orchestrated by the rebel faction, led by figures like C M Ibrahim, during a "national plenary meeting" convened by Nanu in Bengaluru.
During this meeting, the rebel faction, motivated by the decision to align with the BJP-led NDA, declared itself as the "actual JD(S)" and voiced support for the INDIA bloc. Expressing dissatisfaction with Gowda's leadership decisions, the faction announced its intention to approach the Election Commission, initiating legal proceedings to assert its claim over the party.
The expulsion of rebels Ibrahim and Nanu by the Gowda-led JD(S) on Saturday intensified the rift within the party. Ibrahim, a former Union Minister, criticized Gowda's decision to align with the BJP, alleging a departure from the party's "secular ideology." The rebel faction outlined the sequence of events leading to the removal of Gowda as the national president and the election of Nanu to the position.
Ibrahim asserted that the plenary session witnessed discussions on party matters with the participation of leaders from various states. In Karnataka, key leaders, including Nadagouda and Mahima Patel, joined the session, signaling growing dissent within the party.
Referring to Gowda as 'Dhritarashtra' from the Mahabharata, Ibrahim drew attention to the departure of the Gowda family from JD(S) and emphasized the rebel faction's claim as the authentic JD(S). He hinted at the possibility of further political maneuvers, including garnering support in the Vidhana Sabha and exploring electoral strategies in collaboration with the INDIA bloc for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The rebel faction, while denouncing Gowda's decision and asserting their standing within the party, expressed determination to navigate the legal avenues, including potential court intervention, to solidify their position. This episode underscores the internal strife within JD(S) and sets the stage for potential political realignments and legal battles in the days to come.
