Mysuru: People of my constituency will decide my next move, says MLA G.T. Deve Gowda
Mysuru: Senior politician and JD(S) MLA G.T. Deve Gowda on Wednesday said that any decision regarding his political future, whether to remain in JD(S), or move to the BJP or Congress, will be taken based on the wishes of his constituents. “As of now, I am serving as an MLA,” he said, addressing reporters in Mysuru.
Responding to questions about his association with political parties, Gowda said, “Neither Siddaramaiah nor D.K. Shivakumar has contacted me. No one from JD(S) has reached out regarding the Channapatna by-election. I am not joining any party at the moment.”
A known critic of his own party leadership in recent times, the veteran leader said, “Newcomers who joined the party just yesterday are now speaking about me. Even those who lack the stature to stand beside me are making comments. I have always been with the people and the party founded by Deve Gowda. The people in my constituency suggest what to do, whether to remain in JD(S), or move to Congress or BJP. Based on their direction, I will contest the next election.”
Commenting on the current state of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, he remarked, “I am a JD(S) MLA. I resigned earlier from the Assembly after winning, not because I was defeated. I have supported Yeddyurappa in the past for 20 months. Our tenure was three years, and I was frustrated that I wasn’t given the role of Leader of the Opposition despite being a senior. Kumaraswamy chose to empower Suresh Babu instead. Right now, I am functioning only as a legislator. I have no clarity on my party affiliation.”
Recalling his past political battles, he said, “I have stood my ground and won even against strong leaders. I defeated Siddaramaiah in the elections. I have never abandoned JD(S) midway, never been corrupt, and never lost an election. No one has the moral authority to accuse me of defection. I will act according to the wishes of the people in my constituency.”
Reacting to questions on JD(S) youth president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, G.T. Deve Gowda stated, “Nikhil is also an actor and has lost three elections. Now he’s gaining experience in politics. The responsibility of leading the JD(S) built by H.D. Deve Gowda is on him. I am staying away from party activities and focusing solely on my duties as a legislator.”
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
