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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Deve Gowda reiterates Janata Dal (S) is for elections

S. Rajendran

Spikes reports of his party aligning with the Congress to form government

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Mapping out strategy: The former Deputy Chief Minister, M.P. Prakash (left), appears to be sharing something confidential with the former Minister, H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, at his residence in Bangalore on Thursday.

Bangalore: The former Prime Minister and president of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda, on Thursday spiked reports of his party aligning with the Congress to form a government in the State. He reiterated that the Janata Dal (S) was keen on elections just as the Congress and the BJP were.

Mr. Deve Gowda expressed anguish and disgust over reports that some political leaders were working overtime at forming another government, and said the categorical statement of the Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs, Prithviraj Chavan, on Wednesday that the Congress was not interested in forming a government with the Janata Dal (S) should be understood in the right perspective.

“Right from the day on which the then Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, submitted his resignation to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, I have been stating that the Janata Dal (S) is keen on early elections to the Legislative Assembly. My stand remains unchanged.”

Reports were rife through the day that the former Deputy Chief Minister, M.P. Prakash, who has had a round of discussion with top Congress leaders, was working at mustering the requisite strength. A section of the State Congress leaders, including some of them who had crossed over to the Congress from the Janata Dal, were stated to be coordinating these efforts. Sources told The Hindu that the Prakash group was “not far off” from obtaining the requisite number of legislators.

Sources in the Janata Dal (S) said that both Mr. Deve Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy were in touch with Mr. Prakash. Mr. Kumaraswamy reportedly assured Mr. Prakash of his support if the latter was successful in obtaining the “clearance” of the Congress High Command. A section of the legislators associated with Mr. Prakash said the latter would hold a second round of discussions with the Congress leaders “very shortly”. Incidentally, Mr. Deve Gowda left on a sudden visit to New Delhi on Thursday. The reason given by his office was that he was to hold discussions with Janata Dal (S) leaders on national politics. Mr. Deve Gowda said, “The BJP has already announced that it will face elections. The Congress has pulled the curtains down on government formation. We are the only other political party left in the State. We should keep these developments in mind and go ahead in strengthening and preparing the party for elections.”

“I will visit the party office regularly from now on and gear up the party rank and file for elections.

The Janata Dal (S) will not present a picture to people that its legislators are scared of elections.”

With reference to the initiative taken by Mr. Prakash in unilaterally talking to the Congress, the former Prime Minister said: “He has not done anything wrong. He has only acted as per the wishes of the party legislators. But I am sure he will not succeed.”

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