BJP, Cong, stymying third front, says Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, on Tuesday, blamed the Congress and BJP of conspiring to finish off regional parties, to prevent the rise of a third front as a political force.

Speaking at a function organised by the Bangalore unit of JD(S), Gowda said the two national parties did not want a political alternative to emerge in the nation. “Even the media is giving publicity to Narendra Modi (BJP’s prime ministerial candidate) and Rahul Gandhi (AICC Vice-President) and sidelining smaller parties,” Gowda said. He said workers of his party were instrumental to the growth of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “However, he quit our party and joined the Congress. I have no issues about that. But nobody should indulge in revenge politics”, he said.

Newly appointed party city unit president R Ratan Singh took charge on Tuesday.