H D Kumaraswamy manhandles JD(S) worker at party convention in Mysuru

MYSURU: Janata Dal (Secular) state president H D Kumaraswamy was seen 'slapping' a party worker during a party workers' convention held here on Wednesday.

After the meet organised at Sa Ra Convention, the former chief minister was getting down from the stage when a section of audience started shouting slogans seeking Hunsur Assembly ticket for Harishgowda, son of Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda. An agitated Kumaraswamy walked upto the crowd to take them to task. He told them that he has not come to distribute B forms.

In the melee, someone standing behind Kumaraswamy is said to have pulled him by his shoulder. As he turned back, he saw Premkumar, a party worker who is also vice-president of Hunsur taluk panchayat falling at his feet, seeking a ticket for Harishgowda with a raised voice.

An angry Kumaraswamy slapped Premkumar not once but twice and asked him to go away. Then, HDK and KR Nagar MLA Sa Ra Mahesh took him into a room even as others continued to shout slogans.

Denying that he had slapped the worker, Kumaraswamy later told reporters that he only tried to stop Premkumar from touching his feet. Further, he said Premkumar apologised to him for embarrassing him in front of the media. He said there was some confusion among party workers as Prajwal Revanna was found moving in Hunsur.

The incident assumes significance in the backdrop of rumours of veteran Congress leader A H Vishwanath who is all set to quit Congress to join JD(S) being preferred for Hunsur seat. On the other hand, senior leader H D Revanna's son Prajwal Revanna is also said to be lobbying for the same seat.

Kumaraswamy ruled out the party giving ticket to Prajwal as JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda has already clarified that only he and H D Revanna will contest the election.