Defiant JD(S) leaders to boycott tomorrow's Convention

Bangalore, Nov 28 (UNI) The Janata Dal(S) in Karnataka was heading for a split as over 25 legislators identified with dissident leader M P Prakash have decided to boycott party's State executive party meeting convened by party supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

Briefing newsperson after the meeting of 'like minded' Legislators Mr Prakash said that it was unanimously decided to stay away from the tomorrow's meeting.

He said that all the members who attended made an introspection over the developments which took place in the party where there was no scope for any internal democracy. He said that to re-establish internal democracy and put an end to autocracy in the party it was decided to convene another meeting next week.

Strongly defending his action to convene 'like minded leaders meeting' Mr Prakash said that it was not aimed to destablise the party base but to reinforce its strength.

He said that there were general feelings that certain decisions taken by party supremo Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy have dented the image of the party.

Agreeing that everybody were responsible for the sorry status of the party which was witnessing now.

Mr Prakash said that "Today's meeting was an attempt to save the party and redeem it from the clutches of few people".

Taking defiant stand against party supremo Deve Gowda, Mr Prakash dubbed tomorrow's meeting convened by the latter as a 'public meeting' and can not be considered as the state executive. "In public meeting it would be difficult to raise any basic issues pertaining to party" he said.

Mr Prakash said that as many as 17 legislators were presented in today's meeting and another 5 while expressing their inability to attend have extended their support. Three members of the Legislative Council were also present, he added.

Another senior leader and former minister Mr Chaluvarayaswamy, who also spoke on the occasion reiterated that the meeting was convened not to break or split the party but only to save it. "We are also not against Mr Deve Gowda" he added.

(Eds: pickup suitably from earlier series) UNI