Country's condition had deteriorated: Gowda

Bangalore, May 28 : Expressing concern over the functioning of the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda today said the country's condition had deteriorated and the common man was still deprived of the fruits of development.

Speaking at a meeting of Intellectuals here, he said he was ashamed of talking about the ''inefficient functioning'' of the three wings of democracy. ''The fourth estate is no exception to this,'' he added.

Mr Gowda said that despite the democratic set up, money and muscle power were ruling the roost in the country. The rich were becoming more rich and the poor were becoming more poor in the process of globalisation and libaralisation, he claimed.

He said the people in the rural areas were not aware of their legal rights even after five decades of independence.

The conference would discuss about the awareness of legal rights and duties in maintaining peace and harmony.

UNI