Sindhia dares Gowda to convene JD(S) National Executive

Bangalore, Nov 28 (UNI) Senior Janata Dal (S) leader P G R Sindhia, who had sought the removal of party president H D Deve Gowda for aligning with ''communal BJP'', today dared the former prime minister to convene the National Executive meeting.

Mr Sindhia, along with Mr Surendra Mohan and Mr Virendra Kumar had released a statement in New Delhi last week stating that the party would remove Mr Gowda from the post of party chief for aligning with the BJP in Karnataka. Mr Gowda had retorted as the party president that he had acted as per the constitution of the party and nobody could remove him from the post.

Addressing a press conference here Mr Sindhia said Mr Gowda had not convened the National Executive for even once after removing former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or while joining hands with the BJP for forming a government in the state. ''He did not convene the meeting fearing he would not get its approval,'' the JD(S) leader alleged.

He said the party's National Council would be meeting by the end of December to expel Mr Gowda and elect a new President of the party. Mr Gowda would not be invited for the meeting, he said.

Stating that the party had not ratified the removal of Mr Siddaramaiah, he said it was his (Mr Sindhia's) mistake that he did not revolt against Mr Devegowda for his act, which was against the party's basic principles.

He claimed his party which was the real JD (S), and not the one led by Mr Gowda, would support Congress candidate Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by-poll to be held on December 4.

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