Friday, September 30 2005 19:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: The National Council meeting convened by the rival JDS faction today (Sept 30, 2005) 'removed' former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda from the national party president's post for his 'anti-party activities' and set the stage for split in the party.

The meeting presided by rebel leader and ousted Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appointed the National Vice-President C M Ibrahim as the new chief of the party and former minister Satish Jharkhiholi as the Karnataka unit president.

Announcing the decisions of the day-long meet, Ibrahim said the meeting resolved to dissolve all the state units with immediate effect and appoint new office bearers by November 15.

A disciplinary committee headed by former minister Lakshmi Sagar has been set up and it would serve notice on Gowda seeking explanation for his 'anti-party activities'.

The State Council meeting called by Gowda here on September 22 had suspended Siddaramaiah and Ibrahim for 'anti-party activities' and the decision was ratified by the National Executive held on September 28.

However, the rebel leaders had rejected their suspension, terming it as 'illegal'. The rebel faction setting in motion the legal process to seek recognition to it, claiming itself as the 'real JDS' said it would inform the Election Commission about the removal of Gowda from the party post. Ibrahim said steps would also be taken to stake claim to the party symbol.

Claiming that about 50 of the 60 state council members attended today's meeting, he said the party would hold its conventions in Kerala on November 9, Tamil Nadu on November 11 and at Gulbarga, Mysore, Chitradurga and Belgaum later.

The plenary session of the party would be held in December, Ibrahim said.

He said the party would reconstitute the Parliamentary board, political affairs committee and shortly convene a meeting of the Legislature party.

"Battle lines have now been drawn", Ibrahim said.

Siddaramaiah said he would open dialogue with splinter Janata Parivar groups to bring them together and in this direction he would have consultations with JDU leader S R Bommai, Shakuntala Hegde, wife of former chief minister late Ramakrishna Hegde.

Siddaramaiah said the coalition government would collapse shortly.

The meeting in a resolution outlined how Gowda indulged in anti-party activities, denied the chief minister post to Siddaramaiah, resorted to dictatorial behaviour to promote his sons, H D Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna, a minister in the coalition government.

By another resolution it revoked the suspension of Siddaramaiah, Ibrahim and others.