I will never retire from politics, says Deve Gowda at 84

JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, who on Wednesday completed 83 years, said that he would never retire from politics. Like every year, Gowda celebrated his birthday at Tirupati-Tirumala, where he offered prayers along with his wife Channamma and family members.

On his arrival in Bengaluru by afternoon, he was surrounded by his supporters who made him cut a cake at the HAL airport, where special permission had been sought to mark the occasion.

He said that he was blessed to have got a four-hour darshan of the shrine at Tirumala, all thanks to the heavy rains, forcing devotees to stay inside the temple.

‘Feeling blessed’
“I feel blessed to have got such a long darshan of the deity. I have decided to tour the state all through the year. I am a 24/7 hour politician. I will never retire from politics,” he added.

He spent the rest of the day at his residence in the City, where his supporters and well wishers congratulated him. He also cut several cakes brought by his supporters.

His son H D Kumaraswamy, grandson Nikhil Gowda, MP Kupendra Reddy visited Gowda. JD (S) MLA Balakrishna, who has some issues with Kumaraswamy, was one among the surprise visitors.