In poll bound Karnataka, Gowda continues to keep all guessing
H D Deve Gowda has kept everyone guessing on what the JD(S) would do in the post-election scenario in Karnataka. With several opinion polls suggesting a hung house, the JD(S) is expected to play kingmaker. It may be recalled that Gowda was praised by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, which set of speculation that the BJP and JD(S) are in an alliance.
Gowda, however, downplayed Modi's statements and requested the media not to read too much into it. Gowda had both praise and criticism for the PM and said that he is a very intelligent man who does his homework before saying anything. "He (Modi) understands what is happening in Karnataka. He knows exactly what to say in each state he visits. He said he used to come to receive me at my car and then drop me back when I went to visit him. There is nothing special in that and there is no need to take any meaning out of this," Gowda said.
He, however, criticised the PM for his silence on the Mahadayi dispute. He addressed a rally at Belgavi. Could he have not spoken at least something about the issue, Gowda asked. We can understand his character now. Did he have one word for the farmers, Gowda further asked?
'Modi's praise for me does not mean JD(S)-BJP alliance', says Deve Gowda
Gowda
also
said
that
he
had
said
he
would
resign
if
Modi
became
PM.
"After
that,
I
had
met
Modi
and
he
told
me
not
to
resign.
He
said
he
needed
my
guidance",
Gowda
also
added.
Gowda
said
that
the
PM's
praise
stems
from
the
fact
that
he
is
an
ex-PM
and
there
is
nothing
more
to
that.
He
also
said
that
a
Kannadiga
had
become
the
PM
of
the
country
and
Siddaramaiah
tried
to
demolish
Kannada
pride.
"This
is
how
Congress
gives
respect
to
Kannada
pride",
he
also
said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had some kind words for Deve Gowda during one of his rallies he addressed in Karnataka on Tuesday. He criticised Rahul Gandhi for taking on Deve Gowda and said that even though he is a novice, he criticises a veteran like Gowda.
The generous praise on Gowda is being seen as analysts as an attempt by the BJP to keep the JD(S) happy in the eventuality of a hung verdict in Karnataka.
H D Kumaraswamy had earlier said that the mistake of the past will not be repeated. "Would I be working so hard in the heat of north Karnataka, if I was in an alliance with the BJ?. North Karnataka is considered to be a strong region for the BJP. Kumaraswamy also adds that he has made several promises to the voter and those cannot be fulfilled if his party enters into an alliance. If we cannot form the government we will either sit in opposition or face a fresh election", he also says.
Karnataka Assembly Election dates | |||
Date of notification | April 17 | ||
Last date to file nominations | April 24 | ||
Last date to withdraw nominations | April 27 | ||
Date of polling | May 12 | ||
Date of counting | May 15 | ||