The resignation of Janata Dal (S) State president A.H. Vishwanath comes at a time the party is already facing a crisis following its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, which also saw the defeat of its patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda. It also comes just ahead of the coalition partners’ plans to expand the State Cabinet even as discontentment brews.
Mr. Vishwanath’s decision suggests this discontent is not restricted to him. Many senior leaders feel that those beyond the Gowda family fold get little recognition in the JD(S). A leader said seniors in the party were worried about Mr. Vishwanath emerging as a “alternative power centre” for disgruntled leaders after his resignation.
Mr. Vishwanath was apparently upset with the way his community (Kuruba) was being treated by JD(S) leaders. His frustration had come to the fore after the party took a beating in the K.R. Nagar Municipal Council elections. Mr. Vishwanath had lashed out at Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh, accusing him of denying ticket to aspirants from the Kuruba community.