Bengaluru: JD(S) MLA from the constituency of Chamundeshwari, GT Devegowda, has announced his retirement from electoral politics.
 
Turning philosophical while announcing his retirement, he said, “Only God knows, and I know that I have been honest and sincere in discharging my duties. I have considered HD Kumaraswamy (former CM) and HD Deve Gowda (former PM) to be no lesser than God. I have informed them about my decision. I won’t contest again as I am fed up with politics. I know the pain I have been going through.”
 
GT Devegowda shot to prominence after he defeated former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah from the constituency of Chamundeshwari in the Karnataka Assembly elections by a huge margin.
 
The leader thanked the voters for having trusted him and lamented that he could not even thank them after winning.
 
“The whole nation was eager to know the election results of Chamundeshwari constituency. The voters made me win it by around 36,000 votes. I was so lost in my work that it became impossible for me to go and thank them,” he added.
 
Known to be a very friendly and straightforward person, Devegowda has often issued statements, embarrassing his party. His praises for PM Narendra Modi and his open declaration that JD(S) workers had migrated to the BJP in view of the coalition formation, thereby leading to a loss in the Mandya region during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are a few examples.
 
Arivalagan, a JD(S) spokesperson said, “GT Devegowda had already said that 2018 Karnataka elections would be his last. Contesting elections by spending huge money is not beneficial as governments can be toppled.  The BJP is responsible for it as it has played dirty politics. He has been in politics for 45 years. He has been saddened by the developments in the state.”