CM Ibrahim expelled as Karnataka JDS president, announces party chief HD Deve Gowda

Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) president and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Thursday announced Karnataka JDS president CM Ibrahim’s expulsion from the party with immediate effect. In the last couple of days, Ibrahim was vocal against the party’s decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party’s high command was upset with his rebellious attitude against the party leadership for joining hands with the BJP.

Earlier on Tuesday, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy hit out at Ibrahim for raising a banner of revolt against the party for partnering with BJP and indicated that stringent action will be taken against him.

“If his (Ibrahim’s) party is original then let him put up a board that he is the original one. Who has stopped him? Let him do whatever he wants. He is free to do it. It is left to him,” Kumaraswamy said.

Addressing a meeting of some party leaders convened by him on Monday, Ibrahim had said there was no question of him quitting the party as he was the “real JDS”.

Seemingly outraged to even talk on the matter, the son of JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda added, “Why should I take his (Ibrahim’s) statements seriously? Please don’t discuss silly things with me. This is not a matter to be answered. Our party leaders will make a decision. We will set right whatever is needed.”

Chand Mahal Ibrahim was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Civil Aviation and Tourism in the successive governments of Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral from 1996 to 1998. 

Ibrahim also remained a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Karnataka Legislative Council. Ibrahim was with Congress, Janata Dal, All India Progressive Janata Dal and Janata Party during his long political career. 

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