The JD(S) on Thursday targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his comments against its chief H D Deve Gowda, saying the former prime minister does not need a certificate from him and accused the Grand Old Party of destroying regional secular forces.

Reacting to Rahul’s comments in an interview to DH that Gowda should clearly tell people which side he was on, JD(S) secretary general Danish Ali warned such actions by the Congress would only help in the growth of the BJP.

“Instead of fighting the BJP, the Congress is trying to destroy regional secular forces. If Congress is going to destroy regional forces, it will only strengthen the BJP. That’s why the BJP is growing. If they are doing it again, then Karnataka is also going into the BJP’s hands,” Ali told DH.

Rahul told DH in an exclusive interview, “I think Mr Deve Gowda owes it to the people of Karnataka upfront to say that he is either on this side or that side.”

Ali said Rahul has not realised that he is the president of the Congress and is still behaving like he is speaking at a meeting organised by NSUI or Youth Congress.

“No one can challenge the secular credentials of the Deve Gowda. He does not need a certificate from the Congress. Gowda’s policy and ideology is very clear. No need for him (Rahul) to tell Gowda where he should stand,” he said adding the Congress chief was acting in an “immature” manner.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s praise for Gowda, Ali said the prime minister is an expert in exploiting sentiments and the Congress has given an opportunity.

“You call the JD(S) for a dinner meeting of Opposition parties and then the next day, you are criticising Gowda, that too in his stronghold. He should not have criticised Gowda. He should not have read from notes given by local Congressmen. His major responsibility is to bring all Opposition, regional secular parties. They should not indulge in draining energy in these things and should use their energy in defeating the BJP,” the JD(S) leader said.