JDs Vice President resigns over party’s alliance with BJP

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sept 24, 2023: On Saturday, Syed Shafiulla Saheb, who served as the Karnataka unit president of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), tendered his resignation from the party. His decision was driven by his discontent with the party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Saheb expressed his difficulty in aligning with those who promote divisive sentiments. He also convened meetings with other Muslim leaders within the party to discuss their potential future actions.

Notably, the previous day, HD Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and a leader of JD(S), met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. During this meeting, Kumaraswamy officially declared the party’s entry into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) bloc. BJP President JP Nadda and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were also in attendance.

Regarding his resignation, Saheb emphasized that JD(S) has consistently upheld secular principles throughout its history. He voiced his opposition to his party’s collaboration with a party that fosters divisions among communities and castes and promotes a message of hatred.

"I have been a dedicated member of the party for the past 30 years. Our party has always stood firm on its secular principles, and we have consistently advocated for the values of secularism to the electorate and the general public. However, if my party chooses to align itself with a party that fuels discord among communities and castes and actively promotes a communal agenda, then we, as secular leaders, stand in opposition," he declared.