The Hindu : Karnataka News : `I was forced to criticise Govt.'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

`I was forced to criticise Govt.'

Special Correspondent

I cannot be a silent spectator to the mistakes of the Government: Deve Gowda

I cannot be a silent spectator to the mistakes of the Government, says Deve Gowda

SHIMOGA: The former Prime Minister and president of the Janata Dal (S), H.D. Deve Gowda, has justified his role as a "critic" of the coalition Government and said he had to don that role when the main Opposition party has failed to expose the Government's misdeeds and shortcomings.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday at the end of the hectic campaign undertaken by him for the Shimoga Lok Sabha byelection, he said, "I cannot be a silent spectator to the mistakes of the Government."

His job would have been easier had the so-called Opposition party leaders played their proper role.

`Will not destabilise Govt.'

He said he was not out to destabilise the coalition Government. "Let them rest assured that the Government will not fall because of my party."

Referring to the reported remark by the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, that he had to put up with many hassles and irritants while running the Government, Mr. Deve Gowda said, "Let me clarify that nothing has been done from my side to make him uncomfortable. I am not aware who is responsible for it."

Disapproving of what he called the urban-centric policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre, Mr. Deve Gowda spoke about an article in The Hindu criticising the Government's lack of concern for the development of rural areas.

"We have to take it seriously when a responsible paper makes such observations, Mr. Deve Gowda said."

He appealed to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to apply his mind to the problems of rural areas.

He said that his party, which was considered inconsequential in the Shimoga Lok Sabha byelection two months ago, had emerged as a serious contender.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, criticised the Congress for seeking votes on the basis of caste and community and said that the Congress had shown no concern for ensuring social justice to the neglected sections.

The Minister for Industries, P.G.R. Sindhia, and the president of the Janata Dal (S) State unit, N. Thippanna, were present.

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