Panchamasali seer calls on JD(S) head Deve Gowda

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Even as keeping the frail health of JD(S) president and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda in mind, his participation in the mega party convention on March 26 has been canceled, Kudalasangama mutt’s Panchamasali seer Basavajaya Mrutunjaya paid a visit to the Vokkaliga mass leader at the latter’s residence here.

JD(S) legislature party leader HD Kumaraswamy disclosed that they had taken the decision after consulting with his father’s doctors, apart from party leaders. We all agreed that Devegowda’s health was the most important thing, he said. The original plan was to hold a massive road show that would move from Kumbalgodu on the outskirts of Bengaluru to Mysuru city in which Devegowda would participate.

The rally was supposed to be in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mandya, which is very much a part of the Vokkaliga heartland. Instead, JD(S) will now hold a convention in Mysuru city on March 26.

Meanwhile, the pontiff Basavajaya Mrutunjaya said that he had called on Devegowda to inquire about the latter’s health and seek his support for the Panchamsalis protest for 2A reservation, which would grant the community a slice of the 15 per cent reservation available under the sub-category.

The seer noted that Devegowda has always been forthcoming to his community when he was active in state politics.