Deve Gowda rules out possibilities of third front

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda turned down the possibilities of formation of third front and said the available limitations would allow him only to concentrate on strengthening the party in Karnataka.

Addressing media persons on his arrival to temple town after offering prayers to Goddess Mookambika in Kollur, the veteran politician said there are many regional parties in many states where there is no existence of BJP and Congress. There is leadership in all states and it is not only BJP and Congress that rules the domain; there are many other regional parties that could sway the political scenario in the country, he added.

The former prime minister said there is no dearth of leaders and workers in JD(S). It is only matter of time to hold back the lost grip and strengthen the party from the grass root level.

The JD(S) Supremo said that there are no instances of polarisation in the name of religion and caste in the country in past, hence there may not be any such successful attempts in future.

He stressed there is no dissatisfaction among the leaders and members in JD(S) over the appointment of new state president of the party.

He said JD(S) has collective leadership and all efforts will be made to reinstate the party in the state with strong roots.

He said every attempt will be made to save the party and the process to strengthen the party will begin from Udupi district. He added that he would tour Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Uttar Kannada, Shimoga and Chikmagalur in first phase. The second phase of party reorganisation will be taken up in Mumbai Karnataka region.

The Hyderabad Karnataka region will be included in the process in third phase, while the old Mysore area will be the final destination to be covered under the process of party revamping. All 30 districts will be covered. The JD(S) leader said leaders like P G R Scindia will be part of the meetings held for the party workers in all 30 districts and he claimed himself to be a member of the party. He questioned “who am I to rate Narendra Modi?, and added that the voters in the country will retort at the right time. He said it is BJP that has confidently picked up Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. He also said that every decision will be taken in consultation with the party members in connection with supporting other political parties in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The veteran politician skipped retorting many queries over his plans, stating that time will decide everything. He did not categorically rule out the possibilities of supporting NDA in future.