Bengaluru: JDS state president H Vishwanath has finally put an end to the ‘will-he-won’t-he’ debate by announcing that he will remain the state’s JDS chief. He made this announcement during a meeting held at the party office on Thursday, and explained that he took this decision after JDS supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda insisted that he stay on as the state’s chief.

For a while now, Vishwanath has made his intention to quit as the party’s state chief clear, citing issues with his health which made him unable to travel across the state. However, other reports suggest that the real reason behind his decision was that he was upset at having been ignored by the party leaders.

Vishwanath had reportedly met HDD earlier in the day to request him to relieve him from his post. However, as recounted by Vishwanath, HDD insisted that he remain in his post as the party was going through a trying time. “I am indebted to him as he gave me a political rebirth. I cannot say no to Gowda,” he said.

Accepting that the party had made “mistakes”, HDD said that the same would not be repeated and that he would support Vishwanath as he runs the party.

He then announced that former MLA Y S V Datta would be the party’s new campaign committee chairman and that office-bearers for four revenue divisions and Bengaluru Urban would soon be appointed.