JD(S) take its decision soon on contesting President election: Gowda

Bangalore, June 10 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal(S) National President H D Deve Gowda today said that his party will soon take a decision on its stand on the forthcoming election to President post if no consensus was evolved between National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Addressing a press conference here, he said that his party was too small at the national level to be approached by either NDA or UPA on the issue. However, Party's highest policy making body will meet and finalise its stand on the issue if circumstances demands, he added.

Reacting to a move to form Third Front at the national level in an attempt to find an alternatives to both NDA and UPA, Mr Gowda said that he was only concentrating on strengthening his party in Karnataka and has decided to tour the State for over three months from June 19.

He said that a meeting of Party legislators, Ministers would be meeting here on June 13 to chalk out programmes to widen the party base. The meeting would also discuss the performance of the coalition government and State administration.

Complementing the coalition government in Karnataka for its performance including one-time loan waiver to farmers, increase in subsistence allowance to widows, physically handicapped persons and poorer section of the society, Mr Gowda said that Chief Minister's village stays has helped to know the problems of the people at the grass root level.

On the poor performance of JD(S) in Ullal and Goa assembly elections, Mr Gowda said that Party was aware of its strength and the results were not a surprise to him.

On party's decision to fight Goa state assembly elections, Mr Gowda said that it was done only to enlarge party's base to its neighbouring states and expressed confidence that party would do well in the next coming elections.

UNI