MG Hegde joins JD(S)

Mangalore, Mar 24: A day after publicising his resignation to the Congress party, MG Hegde on Thursday formally joined Janata Dal (Secular) along with over a dozen disgruntled Congress workers.

At a simple ceremony organised by the district unit of JD(S), former Chief Minister of Karnataka H D Kumaraswamy wholeheartedly welcomed the incoming political stars of Dakshina Kannada to the party, stating that JD(S) needs “faithful and honest activists like you.”

“This development is indeed an inspiration for the outfit”, Kumaraswamy said adding that the “secular and responsible” party guided by his father HD Devegowda will always recognise honest workers, activists, representatives and leaders.

“The doors of JD(S) will remain open always for those who want join us,” he said.

Hegde said that he is happy to open a new chapter in his lengthy political career this evening. “I have accepted the invitation of JD(S) wholeheartedly and decided to continue my political struggle on a new platform,” he said.

He also said that the Congress party has no future in the district as it is in the wrong hands.

“I had been continuously sidelined in the Congress party though I was a loyal party worker since 15 years. I was just used as a speaker whenever there was a requirement and the so called leaders underestimated my capacity,” he said.

Along with Hegde, a group of Congress activists formally declared their loyalty to the JD(S). They included Abdul Majeed Sooralpady, Shashiraj Shetty, MS Siddeeq, M Qasim, Oswald D'Cunha, S Gurappa Poojary, Siraj Arkula, Nazeer Arkula, K S Ahmed Bawa Thumbey, K S Latheef Thumbey, G K Hariprasad Rai, Hareesh Bhandary Gunjimutt and Rajesh Shetty Konaje.

Change in Ideology

MG Hegde said that he was attracted by the ideology of RSS during his college days and was an active Swayamsewak. But due to differences with the party he associated himself with Balraj Madhok, who had come to Mangalore as a rebel leader.

RSS had disassociated itself with Madhok and had also objected to Pejawar seer's participation in his programme.

This was the last nail in the coffin and Hegde left the Sangh and subsequently joined Hindu Yuva Sene founded by Gunakar Shetty.

Since joining Congress in 1996, he made a number of political enemies both within and outside the party. Though Congress came to power both at the state and centre, Hegde was left to languish without his talents adequately being compensated.