Mysuru: The debut press conference called by the latest entrant Prof. Rangappa to address party activists of Chamaraja Assembly constituency turned into chaos with rival groups within the Janata Dal (Secular) fighting against each other.
Prof. Rangappa, former vice chancellor of Mysuru University and a close family relative of H D Devegowda had called a press conference at a private hotel, where differences cropped up, when a party member aired his grievance.
In a meeting attended by JDS city corporators and activists, he accused the party corporators of failing in their duty to support their own colleagues in times of crisis. Taking advantage of the scenario, a Congress MLA has lodged cases against us, he added.The statement did not go well with others present and utter chaos prevailed at the meeting.
JDS City President Harish Gowda skips meet
JDS City President Harish Gowda, another prime contender for the Chamaraja Assembly skipped today’s press conference citing unawareness. Considered bête noir of Prof. Rangappa, Harish Gowda is likely to contest as an independent, if the party denies him the ticket. Prof. Rangappa’s entry into politics has not gone too well with the rival fraction.
In the backdrop of the differences within the party city unit, JDS office at Chamaraja Assembly Constituency is scheduled to be opened on November 19 by party supremo H D Devegowda. A rally led by state BJP president and a public meeting thereafter has been organised, revealed Prof. Rangappa, a strong contender for the Chamaraja Assembly seat. In the event of the ticket being denied to him, he would work for the party as a sincere worker, Prof. Rangappa added.
