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Kumaraswamy quits as JD functionary

H D Kumaraswamy, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's elder son, resigned as general secretary of the Janata Dal's Karnataka unit on Wednesday.

In a letter to state JD president B L Shankar, Kumaraswamy, who unsuccessfully contested the recent general election from Kanakapura, said he did not want to 'shoulder the responsibility of acting as an observer for Kolar district'.

Shankar had, as part of the JD's reorganisation plans, directed Kumaraswamy to do so. Kumaraswamy accused Shankar of not taking the initiative to find out the truth when false news was spread that his and his brother and State Minister H D Revanna's supporters attacked Transport Minister P G R Sindhia during the election campaign.

As party president, Shankar should have discussed the issue with him and Revanna. As party spokesman, Sindhia should have clarified the position, Kumaraswamy said.

When the issue was raised at the legislature party meeting by a member he was not given a chance to speak, Kumaraswamy added.

In such circumstances, Kumaraswamy said, he preferred to serve the party as an ordinary worker.

UNI

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