Gowda favours fresh mandate on nuke issue

Bangalore, Aug 23 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal(S) National President H D Deve Gowda today favoured fresh mandate from the people for Lok Sabha on the issue of operationalising the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here today, Mr Gowda said public opinion was in favour of holding fresh elections on the deal as it was surrounded by controversy.

He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government looked helpless. Dr Singh was already committed to the deal and could not go back on operationalising it.

''The mid-term poll to Lok Sabha seems inevitable as the nation is facing political instability for the last several months. This could continue with polarisation for another three months,'' he said.

He also advised his son and Chief Minister H D Kuamaraswamy not be upset over JD(S)'s image for joining hands with BJP for forming a coalition government in the state.

Mr Deve Gowda cited several examples of leaders, including Ms Mayawati in the UP, for forming the government with help of BJP in their respective states.

Mr Kumaraswamy yesterday had said in Gulbarga District that the tie-up with BJP had damaged the secular credentials of his party.

UNI