Mysuru: Disgruntled JD(S) MLA G.T. Devegowda has announced that he will contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly election from the Chamundeshwari constituency, though he has not disclosed which party he will represent.
Speaking at a Ganeshotsava programme in the constituency on Thursday, Devegowda said he would remain active in politics as long as he had the blessings of God and the people.
His announcement comes amid an ongoing dispute with the JD(S) leadership over his political position in the party. JD(S) state president and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said the party would not give Devegowda a ticket, accusing him of engaging in anti-party activities.
Devegowda leaves party affiliation open
While declaring his intention to contest from Chamundeshwari, Devegowda did not specify whether he would seek a ticket from the JD(S), another political party or contest as an independent.
His latest statement follows an earlier declaration in September that he would contest the 2028 election from Chamundeshwari even if he had to do so as an independent or from another party.
The Chamundeshwari MLA has also continued to maintain his political presence in the constituency amid differences with the JD(S) leadership.
Devegowda currently represents Chamundeshwari in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. His political future within the JD(S) has been the subject of discussion for several months, with differences between him and Kumaraswamy becoming increasingly public.
Kumaraswamy rules out JD(S) ticket
The latest development comes after Kumaraswamy indicated that the JD(S) would not allot Devegowda a ticket for the next Assembly election, citing alleged anti-party activities.
The disagreement has also affected JD(S) activities in Chamundeshwari. In May, a JD(S) convention was held in the constituency without Devegowda’s participation. At the event, Kumaraswamy said the party would take a decision on its candidate while considering the views of party workers.
The dispute is significant because Devegowda has represented the constituency for the JD(S), while the party leadership has been considering its future strategy for the seat.
In March, reports also highlighted differences between Devegowda and the JD(S) leadership over his continuation with the party and his claim to contest again from Chamundeshwari.
Chamundeshwari remains central to political contest
Devegowda’s latest announcement effectively makes his intention to seek another term from Chamundeshwari clear, even though the identity of the party under whose banner he will contest remains undecided.
The MLA’s earlier remarks had similarly left open the possibility of contesting either independently or under another party banner.
The development comes well ahead of the 2028 Assembly election and keeps attention focused on the political contest in Chamundeshwari.
For now, Devegowda has publicly committed himself to contesting from the constituency, while the question of his party affiliation remains open.
The JD(S) leadership, meanwhile, has indicated that it does not intend to offer him a ticket, setting the stage for further political developments in the constituency before the next Assembly election.