The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : JD (S) will come to power on its own, says Deve Gowda

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Friday, Aug 24, 2007
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JD (S) will come to power on its own, says Deve Gowda

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Pep talk: Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda addressing the gathering after inaugurating the ‘Vichara Mantapa’ at the party office in Bangalore on Thursday.

Bangalore: Janata Dal (S) president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Thursday expressed confidence that his party would come to power on its own in the State in the next elections in the same way that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) bounced back to power, even though they were also “tainted” because of their alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He was addressing party workers after inaugurating ‘Vichara Mantapa,’ which among others includes a media centre, at Janata Dal (S) office here. Y.S.V. Datta, MLC and the person behind the initiative, welcomed the gathering.

Mr. Deve Gowda, who recalled his experiences since becoming an MLA in 1967, said he had witnessed political turmoil both in the State and in the country.

In an oblique reference to the criticism by his opponents on the BJP’s support to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Deve Gowda reminded them on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi did.

He said that both the parties enjoyed power by cosying up to BJP in their States. Ms. Mayavati, who became Chief Minister twice with support of the BJP, later came to power on her own. Similarly, the Janata Dal (S) would also win (the polls) on its own strength, he said. Mr. Deve Gowda told Mr. Kumaraswamy that he need not be apologetic about coming to power with the support of the BJP as it had not affected his secular credentials. After October 3, he would undertake a State-wide tour to strengthen the party and workers.

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