A party leader and five-time legislator H.K. Kumaraswamy has been appointed as Janata Dal (Secular) Karnataka president on Thursday. He replaces A.H. Vishwanath, who tendered his resignation following the party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha polls and has since been vocal in his criticism of the coalition government.
The party appointed former legislator Madhu Bangarappa as the working president of the party. In a surprise move, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, has been appointed the youth wing president.
Mr. Vishwanath, who headed the party for one year, handed over the party’s flag to Mr. Kumaraswamy. While the party leaders, including supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, had tried to convince Mr. Vishwanath to withdraw his resignation, he remained firm.
Mr. Gowda told the media that he would continue to work towards strengthening the party and they would complete the process of appointing the other office-bearers soon.
Thanking the party for reposing faith in him, Mr. Kumaraswamy, who represents Sakleshpur in the State Assembly, said: “Despite losses, we will work towards strengthening the party and providing support to the Chief Minister. Defeat is not permanent.”
H.K. Kumaraswamy appointed as Janata Dal (Secular) K’taka president
