Bengaluru: In a significant development, former Karnataka President of the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)], CM Ibrahim, faced expulsion from the party during the national executive committee meeting held in Bengaluru on Saturday, December 9. The expulsion came in the wake of Ibrahim questioning the party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Former Prime Minister and JD(S) National President HD Deve Gowda announced Ibrahim’s expulsion after the meeting.
Ibrahim had previously been suspended for engaging in activities deemed anti-party. The national executive committee meeting witnessed the presence of key figures, including former Chief Minister and state President HD Kumaraswamy, National General Secretary Jafrulla Khan, and party presidents from various states like Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal.
The ousted leader, CM Ibrahim, had openly challenged the Deve Gowda family regarding the alliance with the BJP. He had even warned that 12 out of the 19 MLAs elected from JD(S) in Karnataka were in contact with him. Expressing dissatisfaction with the party leadership, Ibrahim asserted that if Deve Gowda did not address the concerns raised about the BJP alliance, he and his supporters would make independent decisions.
In response to the developments, Ibrahim disclosed plans for a statewide tour starting on December 11. The expulsion underscores the internal dissent within the JD(S) and the challenges posed by differing opinions on political alliances.
