Gowda releases Kuldip Nayar's 'Scoop'

Bangalore, Nov 10: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today accused the Congress of destabilising the regional parties and said it will not succeed in its attempts.

Releasing the Kannada translation of veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar's book 'Scoop', brought out by Prajavani Publications of the Printers (Mysore) Private Limited here, he said gone were the days of one party rule and with democracy deep rooted in the nation, it would not be possible to take people for granted.

Attacking the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre, he said some sort of an emergency prevailed in the country and even the media was not spared.

Mr Gowda also came down heavily on his critics who blamed him for retarding the growth of Bangalore and came out with instances to prove his achievements to improve the infrastructure of the city during his regime as Chief Minister.

He complimented Mr Nayar as a multi-faceted personality and recalled his contribution to the country as a journalist, a diplomat and a parliamentarian during the last five decades.

Mr Nayar, speaking on the occasion, regretted that the politics of the country had degenerated, with values and principles given a go by. Today's politician was more interested in self-interest and was splitting the country on the basis of religion and caste and gone was the era of nationalists who served well for the country.

Regretting that the dream of those who fought for the freedom of the country had not been realised, he said the country could not blow its trumpet for achieving eight or ten per cent growth unless it was visible all around the country. The rich were becoming richer and the poor continued to suffer, he added.

Referring to his book 'Scoop', he said it was a narration of some events in the history of the country in the post-independent era so that citizens of today understand well the reality of the past.

Prajavani and Deccan Heralad Editor K N Shantakumar said 'Scoop' was the first book the group had planned to publish, culling out from the articles published in the newspapers run by it.

UNI