Gowda removed as JD(S) president: suspended for 6 years

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 (UNI) The anti-Deve Gowda Janata Dal (Secular) faction today decided to remove the party president from his post and suspend him from the party for six years for taking a ''pro-communal stand.'' ''Mr Gowda is no more in the JD(S). It has been decided to name veteran socialist leader Surendra Mohan as the new president of the party,'' M P Veerendrakumar, told reporters after the party's national executive meeting here.

Claiming that his faction was the real JD(S), he said the decisions of the national executive would be ratified at tomorrow's National Council meeting.

It was also decided to dissolve the Karnataka unit of the JD(S).

The decision to remove Mr Gowda from the post was taken for his ''illegal'' and ''unconstitutional activities'' during recent days.

Mr Mohan, who is here to attend the national council said 28 out of the 49 executive members attended the meeting. Three letters of support had been given and three were on their way to attend the National Council, he added.

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