The Janata Dal (Secular) has initiated a significant leadership overhaul, removing veteran MLA and former minister G.T. Devegowda from his position as head of the party's core committee while elevating the younger generation of party founder H.D. Deve Gowda's family to crucial positions.
The Leadership Reshuffle
In a strategic move earlier this week, the JD(S) replaced Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda as the core committee chief with former Deputy Speaker M. Krishna Reddy. This decision comes amid growing speculation about Devegowda's dissatisfaction with the party leadership.
The five-time legislator had been distancing himself from party affairs despite being appointed core committee chief in August 2023. Sources indicate his discontent stemmed from being overlooked for the position of JD(S) Legislature Party leader, a post vacated by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Instead, the party appointed C.B. Suresh Babu, further alienating the veteran leader.
Rising Gowda Family Influence
Concurrent with Devegowda's removal, the JD(S) has significantly bolstered the roles of party founder H.D. Deve Gowda's family members. Nikhil Kumaraswamy, president of the JD(S) Youth Wing, has been appointed to the political affairs committee headed by his father, H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Since Kumaraswamy's appointment as Union Minister, Nikhil has increasingly become the party's public face in Karnataka. Meanwhile, MLA H.D. Revanna retains his core committee membership, while his son and MLC Suraj Revanna joins the Y.S. V Dutta-led campaign committee.
Interestingly, G.T. Devegowda's son, G.D. Harish, has also been inducted into the campaign panel, indicating the party's attempt to balance family interests with broader leadership representation.
Political Implications and Future Prospects
A former JD(S) legislator defended Devegowda's removal, stating, "Removing Devegowda was essential as he was not interested in party affairs and had not convened any meeting in recent days. The core committee has to be active considering that local body and Greater Bengaluru Authority polls will be held soon."
Regarding speculation about Devegowda potentially resigning from the party, the legislator suggested it was unlikely since he is only halfway through his term as Chamundeshwari MLA. Additionally, contesting a bypoll on a Congress ticket might not resonate well with his electorate.
Devegowda earned political prominence as a giant slayer in the 2018 Assembly polls when he defeated then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari. Before the 2023 elections, there were strong indications he might join the Congress, but negotiations reportedly collapsed over his demand for a ticket for his son.
This prompted JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda to personally visit G.T. Devegowda's residence in Mysuru to resolve the matter. Both Devegowda and his son ultimately contested and won on JD(S) tickets.
Recently, Devegowda's repeated defense of Siddaramaiah has reignited speculation about his potential move to the Congress. Responding to these rumors, Siddaramaiah stated in Mysuru that anyone was welcome to join the party.
When questioned about whether the Gowda family was consolidating control over the JD(S), the former legislator emphasized that all senior leaders were being accommodated with specific responsibilities, noting that "many senior leaders are part of various committees formed recently."
