MYSORE: The induction of Hunsur MLA and district Janata Dal (Secular) president G.T. Deve Gowda and Gundlupet MLA H.S. Mahadeva Prasad into the Cabinet by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has come as a big boost to the Mysore region.

There are three Ministers, including D.T. Jayakumar, from Mysore district in the Karnataka Development Front (KDF) Ministry.

Disappointment

But there is disappointment in the Bharatiya Janata Party camp here with the non-inclusion of three-time MLA H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda.

There is no representation in the Ministry for the Bharatiya Janata Party from the district.

Though the disgruntled leader had been reportedly offered the post of a chairman of a corporation, he has rejected it. G.T. Deve Gowda, who was aspiring for a minister's post in the Dharam Singh Ministry, is a first-time Minister.

The two-time MLA, who was once a close confidante of former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is considered close to the H.D. Deve Gowda family.

Crucial role

The Hunsur MLA, who has built his political career as a cooperative leader, is a prominent voice of the Vokkaliga community in the district. Mr. Deve Gowda, who served as the zilla panchayat president and Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee vice-president, played a crucial role in garnering a large number of votes for the party in the recent byelection to the Assembly from the Chamundeshwari constituency.

`Victory'

Though Mr. Siddaramaiah won the election by a wafer-thin margin, the Janata Dal (Secular) considered it as its "victory" as it had posed a tough challenge to a seasoned politician who considers the constituency as his stronghold.

Mr. Deve Gowda has been holding the post of the chairman of the Karnataka State Cooperative Federation for the past three years.

Mr. Mahadeva Prasad, who became the only MLA from Gundlupet after H.L. Thimme Gowda to become a Minister in the Dharam Singh Ministry, is a three-time MLA.

Considered close to Suttur Math, the Lingayat leader was the Food and Civil Supplies Minister.

Mr. Mahadeva Prasad is the lone representative from Chamarajanagar district in the H.D. Kumaraswamy Ministry.

Announcement

At the valedictory function of the JSS Jathra Mahotsava in Suttur last week, Mr. Kumaraswamy announced in the presence of the Suttur math seer that Mr. Mahadeva Prasad would be made a Minister.

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