Karnataka

Janata Dal (S) keen on polls: Deve Gowda

Bangalore: Former Prime Minister and president of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda, on Thursday spiked reports of his party aligning with the Congress to form a government in the State. He reiterated that the Janata Dal (S) was keen on elections just as the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party were.

Mr. Gowda expressed anguish and disgust over reports that some political leaders were working overtime at forming another government, and said the categorical statement of the Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs, Prithviraj Chavan, on Wednesday that his party was not interested in forming a government with the Janata Dal (S) should be understood in the right perspective.

“Right from the day on which the then Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, submitted his resignation to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, I have been stating that the Janata Dal (S) is keen on early elections to the Legislative Assembly. My stand remains unchanged.”

Mr. Deve Gowda said: “The BJP has already announced that it will face elections. The Congress has pulled the curtains down on government formation. We are the only other political party left in the State. We should keep these developments in mind and go ahead in strengthening and preparing the party for elections.”

He said all the party legislators, including the four of the Janata Dal (United) who were now associated with the Janata Dal (S), would be given the party ticket in the coming elections to the Legislative Assembly.

“I will visit the party office regularly from now on and gear up the party rank and file for elections. The Janata Dal (S) will not present a picture to people that its legislators are scared of elections.”

With reference to the initiative taken by former Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash in unilaterally talking to the Congress, the former Prime Minister said, “He has not done anything wrong. He has only acted as per the wishes of the party legislators. But I am sure he will not succeed.”

Reports were rife through the day that Mr. Prakash, who had a round of discussion with top Congress leaders, was working at mustering the requisite strength.

A section of the State Congress leaders, including some of those who had crossed over to the Congress from the Janata Dal, were stated to be coordinating these efforts.

Sources told The Hindu that the M.P. Prakash group was “not far off” from obtaining the requisite number of legislators.

Sources in the Janata Dal (S) said that both Mr. Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy were in touch with Mr. Prakash. Mr. Kumaraswamy had reportedly assured Mr. Prakash of his support if the latter was successful in obtaining the “clearance” of the Congress High Command.

A section of the legislators associated with Mr. Prakash said the latter would hold a second round of discussions with the Congress leaders, “very shortly”.

Incidentally, Mr. Deve Gowda left on a sudden visit to New Delhi on Thursday.

The reason given by his office was that he was to hold discussions with Janata Dal (S) leaders on national politics.

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