JD(S) leader quits party

Mysore, Dec 3 (UNI) Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka received a blow with former minister and Senior Leader G T Deve Gowda today quitting the party in protest against alleged 'family rule' in the JD (S) Addressing a meeting of his loyalists here, Mr Gowda, however, said he would take a final decision on supporting any other party after consulting his supporters in Mysore and Chamarajanagara Districts shortly.

''Former Prime Minister and JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda snatched away all powers from me. Actually they have been running my Ministry.

''The JD(S) betrayed the BJP which extended unconditional support to Mr Kumaraswamy-led coalition government,'' he alleged.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders and former ministers R Ashok and Katta Subramaya Naidu met with Mr G T Gowda.

Later, talking to newsmen, Mr Ashok said the BJP High Command had cleared Mr G T Gowda's name for admission into the party and there was no difference of opinion in the District BJP unit over the issue.

UNI