Deve Gowda to support Congress over N-deal

{image-deve gowda_08072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Bangalore, Jul 8: 'There are no permanent foes and friends in politics', the old adage is yet again proving true. Former Prime Minister and once the arch rival of Congress, HD Deve Gowda is now all set to support Congress over nuclear deal.

In Karnataka, he is looking to tie up with the same party he was running against in the polls - the Congress. The provocation it appears, is the attempt of the BJP government in Karnataka to break Deve Gowda's party and hence strengthen BJP's majority in the state assembly. In the last 48 hours, two JD(S) and two Congress MLAs have quit their parties to join hands with the ruling BJP.

Deve Gowda told the media: "We must put an end to people breaking away and joining with the BJP. That is why I am ready to go with Congress. We must not simply defeat these people, but also teach them a lesson."

Meanwhile Congress leaders in Karnataka maybe reluctant to tie up with a leader who is notorious for not keeping his word, but for the Congress's Central leadership, Deve Gowda may be a useful ally in the nuclear endgame.

The JD(S)has two MPs, and their support could be crucial in a confidence vote that the Manmohan Singh Government is likely to face in Parliament once the Left withdraws support over the Indo-US Nuclear Deal.

AICC Spokesperson, Veerappa Moily says, "They are all secular parties and we are not averse to secular parties. They are always anxious to fight against communal parties." The JD(S)has two MPs, and their support could be crucial in a confidence vote that the Manmohan Singh Government is set to face in Parliament.

OneIndia News