Faced with criticism of reducing JD(S) to a family enterprise, former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda Sunday asserted the notion was wrong as the party helped many grow including ex-chief minister and Congress strongman Siddaramaiah.
Blowing a bugle for the upcoming Lok Sabha election from his constituency and JD(S) stronghold of Hassan district, the 86-year-old Gowda said, "Our critics often say JD(S) is the political party of Deve Gowda's family. Have a look at these facts as well.
"We have made A H Vishwanath state president. Prior to that, I went to Krishnappa's house (asking him) to join our party and observed fast for it. It (JD-S) is not Deve Gowda family. Didn't we give prominent positions to Siddaramaiah, C M Ibrahim, Merajuddin Patel?"
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