Gowda favours fresh mandate on operationalisation of nuke-deal

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

Mr Deve Gowda told reporters on the sidelines of a party function here today that the public opinion was in favour of holding fresh elections on the nuclear deal with the US as it was surrounded with controversies.

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

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

He also advised his son and Chief Minister H D Kuamarswamy not be upset over the image of JD(S) 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 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