Bangalore: Former Deputy Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader M.P. Prakash is tipped to become the next President of the State unit of the party. An announcement is expected after the coming session of the legislature.

The Janata Dal (S), which was a well-knit regional party until recently, is in turmoil following the rebellion by 40 MLAs and their suspension. Along with Janata Dal (S) legislators, workers are in a dilemma whether to associate themselves with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, who sticks to the secular ideology, or with his son, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who has aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Sources in the Janata Dal (S) told The Hindu that Mr. Deve Gowda is expected to meet senior leaders before announcing the appointment of Mr. Prakash.

Before the recent expansion of the Ministry, Mr. Kumaraswamy requested Mr. Prakash to join the Government and the former Deputy Chief Minister is said to have expressed his willingness.

However, Mr. Deve Gowda prevailed upon all MLAs who were not signatories to the petition to the Governor on the change of legislature party leader not to join the Ministry. Mr. Prakash and other senior leaders have been requested to focus attention on rebuilding the party.

It is learnt that Mr. Deve Gowda has consulted M. Rajashekaramurthy and Vijay Sankeshwar, leaders from the Veerashaiva community, and seek their views on the appointment of Mr. Prakash.

The leadership appears to have decided to opt for a Veerashaiva as State unit President in view of the Vokkaliga community's dominance of the party.

It is widely believed that Janata Dal (S) legislators who do not get positions of power will return to the party mainstream after Mr. Kumaraswamy completes the Ministry expansion and appoints chairmen of boards and corporations. H.D. Revanna, Holenarsipur MLA and Mr. Deve Gowda's son, who has stood by his father, has accompanied Mr. Kumaraswamy to New Delhi to meet Union Ministers.

The State unit of the Janata Dal (S) is now without a President following the resignation of N. Thippanna.

It was Mr. Thippanna's letter to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Krishna, seeking recognition of Mr. Kumaraswamy as the legislature party leader, which facilitated the formation of the Janata Dal (S)-BJP Government. Like Mr. Thippanna, Mr. Prakash is from Bellary district.

If he agrees to head the party, Mr. Deve Gowda will be settling scores with Mr. Thippanna.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu