No ambition to become Prime Minister: Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday said he has not decided whether to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls but ruled out that he was keen to head the country again.

In an interaction organised by Deccan Herald – Prajavani, Gowda said, “To tell you the truth I am yet to decide. Earlier this year, I requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to give me time to speak in the House as this would be my last speech in Parliament. But this does not mean I am afraid to face the people in elections”.

Gowda is a sitting member of the Hassan Parliamentary constituency.

On his son and chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's recent statement that a Kannadiga will become prime minister again, Gowda said he did not have such ambitions. “There are regional leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati who are prime ministerial aspirants and they are capable of leading the country, he said.

He also said that if AICC President Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister, his party will extend him support.

HIGHLIGHTS | H D Deve Gowda in conversation with Deccan Herald