MYSURU: Three weeks after JD(S) - Congress government headed by HD Kumaraswamy assuming office, the JD(S) remains to be a divided house in Mandya and Mysuru districts.
Though, the party men celebrated JD(S) sweeping polls in old Mys H D Kumaraswamy becoming Chief Minister for the second time, the power has divided the JD(S) and majority of the partymen are unhappy the way father-son have treated senior leaders C S Puttaraju and G T Deve Gowda. The celebrations mood has soon disappeared as majority of the party workers who had expected that C S Puttaraju, a man behind sweeping all seven seats in Mandya district and giant killer G T Deve Gowda expected that they would get plump posts, heavy portfolios and key role in the coalition government.
But, carrot for Deve Gowda 's relative and stick for G T Deve Gowda and C Puttaraju has worried partymen. Puttaraju played a key role in the victory of JD(S) candidates in Srirangapatna, K R Pet, Mandya and Nagamangala constituencies defeating rebel JD(S) MLAs who had contested on Congress ticket. The party men feel that these developments will have its implications in ensuring urban local bodies election and also by election to Mandya Lok Sabha seats.
Although, many express their displeasure over the development in private, they feel that the party workers are matured and are not happy with the treatment meted to senior leaders. Despite heartburn, Minister C S Puttaraju has agreed to continue with Minor Irrigation portfolio, his supporters are fuming at the tops guns H D Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy of the first political family in the state. If Kumaraswamy feels Minor Irrigation is important portfolio why can't he give it to his brother H D Revanna, asked Somashekar, a JD(S) worker. He said that Deve Gowda during campaign in Dudda had announced that Puttaraju will be made Minister with District-in-charge responsibility.
But, it is unfortunate that he ended up with Minor Irrigation portfolio while H D Deve Gowda's son Ramesh father in law DC Thamanna got Transport portfolio. Transport Minister Thamanna tipped for District -in-charge portfolio is is also making rounds among party circles that would rub salt on the wounds of Puttaraju followers as their leader stood by Deve Gowda family in difficult times and organised party as Zilla panchayat member, MLA and Lok Sabha member.
Senior JD (S) worker Shivalli Malle Gowda charged that the BJP accusation that Deve Gowda- Kumaraswamy are betrayers has come true. He said that party should consider Puttaraju service and make him district-in-charge Minister. We are not against making Thamanna Minister. But, we want party to strengthen Puttaraju's leadership. If let down it will spell dooms in Lok Sabha elections, he warned.
Meanwhile, G T Deve Gowda refused to accept Higher Education portfolio and was assured of Co-operation and APMC portfolio, still continues to be Minister without portfolio. He has kept low profile and specified party workers not to air their views in public with hopes of getting a good portfolio.While, his supporters allege that G T Deve Gowda blocking Prajwal entry to Hunsur and bringing in A H Vishwanath from Congress has put him in bad books of Revanna to weaken their leadership.
JD(S) District Spokesperson Dora Manjunath said that Kumaraswamy who kicked off Kumara parva from Chamundeshwari has assured key role and portfolio to Deve Gowda.The party should have offered portfolio of G T Deve Gowda choice for defeating Siddaramaiah. Kumaraswamy would not have become CM if Siddaramaiah would have won. But, the step-motherly treatment has become talk among party workers and will have its impact on organisation and morale of cadres.