LS polls: CM predicts repeat of 1996

Soon after meeting with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday predicted that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections would be a replay of 1996, when smaller parties across the country aligned to form a government.

“The political equation of Naidu and Deve Gowda is good. They have discussed several issues. I think after Naidu’s entry into Delhi politics once again, the 1996 situation will repeat in 2019.

“We discussed about the upcoming polls. Naidu’s initiative is changing the national political discourse. While Naidu is working as the coordinator, with his seniority and experience, Deve Gowda will the guiding force in uniting all parties,” he said.

Kumaraswamy also said that regional party heads including Sharad Pawar, Mulayam and Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Farooq Abdullah were all in constant touch with the trio (himself, Gowda and Naidu).

The chief minister said through his farmers’ rally, he wanted to reunite all the non-BJP leaders again.

“I want to organise a big show in Karnataka for implementation of farm loan waiver. I am again inviting all the leaders who participated in my swearing-in ceremony. It will be a big show of all leaders of the country, either in December end or January first week,” he added.