JD(S) to take stand on Prez poll soon: Gowda

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

Addressing a news conference here, he said the JD (S) was too small a party at the national level to be approached by either NDA or UPA on the issue. However, the party's highest policy making body will meet and finalise its stand on the issue if circumstances demanded.

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

He said a meeting of party legislators and ministers would be held 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.

Complimenting the coalition government in Karnataka for its performance, including one-time loan waiver to farmers, increase in subsistence allowance to widows, physically challanged people and poorer sections of the society, Mr Gowda said the chief minister's village stay programmes helped know the problems of the people at the grassroots level.

On the poor performance of JD(S) in Ullal and Goa Assembly elections, Mr Gowda said the party was aware of its strength and the results were not surprising for him.

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

UNI