Karnataka: JD(S) leader Vishwanath admitted to hospital, likely to resign from party president's post

Currently in hospital, Vishwanath, Karnataka president of JD(S), has been asked to take rest for a while. His participation in the campaign for Mandya Lok Sabha and Ramanagara Assembly by-elections scheduled for November 3, is not certain.  

Karnataka: JD(S) state president, H Vishwanath, who is also Hunsur MLA, has been admitted to private hospital, due  to ill-health. Surprisingly, former state president of the party and chief minister of state HD Kumaraswamy has not visited Vishwanath, nor has he enquired about his health, say reports.

Insulted by the negligence shown towards him, it is said that Vishwanath might resign from his post of state president of the party. Earlier, Vishwanath had to quit Congress to join JD(S) in 2017, amidst opposition from JD(S) leaders for giving him the ticket to contest from Hunsur.

Currently in hospital, Vishwanath has been asked to take rest for a while. His participation in campaigning for JD(S) candidates fighting in Mandya and Ramanagar Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections scheduled for November 3, is not certain.

He has been asked not to travel long distances by the doctors. So, it is more likely that he will give by-election campaigns a  miss.

Meanwhile, it is also said that he wants to concentrate on improving his health and might consider stepping down from the post of JD(S) president.

He was a Congress leader for over 40 years. Disappointed over not being given a ticket to contest the Assembly election from Mandya in May, prompted him to shift gears and join JD(S), that readily offered him the seat.

However, the situation changed when Congress forged an alliance with the JD(S). In fact, Vishwanath wanted to be in the Cabinet, but considering his equation with the Congress, JD(S)'s HD Deve Gowda made him the state president of the party. Sources say that despite being the party president, he was not taken into consideration while taking major decisions.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah being the chief of the coordination committee also made Vishwanath lose his chances of representing JD(S). And Congress was not keen to have him on board.

Reports also said that, though he is a prominent leader, Vishwanath was not consulted before selecting candidates for the upcoming by-election in Ramanagara Assembly and Mandya Lok Sabha.

Being cornered post alliance, Vishwanath is likely to give up his post of presidency.