BENGALURU: Former Union minister CM Ibrahim on Sunday took over as state president of Janata Dal (S) as he was formally inducted into the party in the presence of national president HD Deve Gowda and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.
Ibrahim’s appointment as JD(S) state chief was formalised by handing over the party flag and the letter of appointment at the party office. The incumbent president, HK Kumaraswamy, has been appointed chairman of the JD(S) parliamentary board. The development assumes political significance at a time when the Congress and JD(S) are vying to consolidate Muslim votes ahead of the 2023 assembly polls.
“I have taken note of the analysis by a section of media that JD(S) is trying to woo a particular community by welcoming Ibrahim into the party amid raging communal issues. Our intention is not to placate any community, but to reestablish a harmonious atmosphere in the state so that all communities can live peacefully,” said HD Kumaraswamy.
Ibrahim quit the Congress and resigned as MLC a month ago as he was unhappy after the party ignored him and appointed BK Hariprasad as leader of the opposition in the legislative council. Although he had been identified as a supporter of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, he was supposedly disgruntled with the party leadership. “I am taking over responsibility with an appeal to people to help us reclaim the glory of 1994 as our objective is to make HD Kumaraswamy the CM with a clear majority,,” Ibrahim said.
