PM Modi praises HD Deve Gowda in Udupi rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised political pundits by lauding Janata Dal (Secular) and party supremo H D Deve Gowda in the second election rally held at MGM College Grounds in Udupi on Tuesday.

PM Modi attacked Congress Rahul Gandhi for his comment on former PM HD Deve Gowda. PM Modi said, "There might be political differences between parties but civility and respect should be maintained. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda Ji visits me in Delhi I always welcome him with respect and always give him time. The way Rahul Gandhi talked about him recently is shameful."

PM Modi lauded HD Deve Gowda as one of the tallest leaders in the country. PM Modi's out of the blue of comment on HD Deve Gowda comes at a time when Congress labelled JDS as 'B-team of the BJP' in this election.

However, HD Deve Gowda a day before categorically said that he would not form a post-poll alliance with the BJP. He said, "I will disown HD Kumaraswamy if he joins hands with the BJP after the election."