Karnataka - Bellary   

Pro-Prakash JD(S) workers confused over loyalties

BELLARY: Janata Dal (Secular) workers in the district are in a dilemma on whether to back their former leader, M.P. Prakash, who recently joined the Congress. Except for a few leaders, especially those belonging to the Kuruba community, a major chunk of party workers, including the president of the district unit of Janata Dal (S), have not taken any decision in this regard.

Such a development has come as a surprise to all those who have been witness to Mr. Prakash’s leadership in the district. He was the undisputed leader of the undivided Janata Dal and the Janata Dal (S), even after the party’s split. Barring a few foes within the party, he enjoyed the unflinching support of party workers, who were ready to follow him to whichever party he joined.

But now things appear to be a little different. Only Santosh Lad, the former Sandur MLA, has backed Mr. Prakash, while Suryanaraya Reddy, who represented Kurgodu, is yet to announce whether he will follow Mr. Prakash or remain in the Janata Dal (S).

Similar is the case with several of his followers in the district. One major factor that has made party workers think twice before deciding to back Mr. Prakash is that after the changed political equations following the delimitation and reservation of Assembly constituencies,

Mr. Prakash has been concentrating more on Davangere with a view to contesting from Harpanahalli. In the event of Mr. Prakash winning the elections, for all practical purposes, he would be part of Davangere district and would not have much of a say in Bellary politics.

“All along we have been identified as followers of Mr. Prakash, opposing leaders of other political parties in Bellary.

Now, with him concentrating more on Davangere, whose backing will we have here,” a party worker who did not want to be identified, told The Hindu. A section of Janata Sal (S) workers from Sandur, including elected representatives, have made it clear that they would remain within the party and were not keen on following Mr. Lad.

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