Wait and watch: Deve Gowda on Karnataka assembly polls

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) Chief H D Deve Gowda on Thursday expressed confidence in winning the Karnataka assembly elections.

Photo Credit: H D Deve Gowda

"I will not say anything on BJP or Congress assessment. It is left to them. Let them enjoy till the mandate of the people is declared. Just wait and watch how things move in Karnataka," Deve Gowda told news agency ANI.

The JDS patriarch also ruled out the possibility of forging an alliance with Congress and reiterated that the party aims to win the elections on its own.

"Two national parties BJP, Congress, and one regional party JDS are fighting the battle. It is very difficult to predict who will win or form the government. Everyone is thinking that they will come to power," Deve Gowda said.

"Some pollsters are predicting hung assembly. At the same time, some surveys have been made about all the former CMs. In the survey, HD Kumaraswamy is the tallest leader," Deve Gowda said.

Meanwhile, JDS released its Janata Pranalike (People's Manifesto) for the Karnataka polls promising to restore four per cent reservation for Muslims and to save Nandini brand calling it Kannadiga's identity.

The party also assured to bring in a law reserving jobs for Kannadigas in the private sector, and has promised to provide free higher education for economically-weaker students.

Earlier, JDS leader, H D Kumaraswamy also claimed that there is a strong undercurrent in favour of his party, especially in the rural areas, in the run-up to assembly polls in Karnataka to be held on May 10.

Hoping to form its own government, JDS has set a target of winning at least 130 seats in the 224 member assembly.

Kumaraswamy had earlier formed an alliance government with BJP for 20 months in 2006, and with Congress for 14 months after the 2018 assembly polls.

Karnataka will go to polls in a single phase on May 10 and results will be out on May 13.