Bengaluru: Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda has emphasized the need of regional parties in the states to solve regional problems and ensure overall development of the respective states.
Speaking at an interactive programme, organized by Press Club of Bengaluru and Reporters’ Guild, here on Wednesday, Deve Gowda said the future of regional parties would depend on the outcome of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. “If BJP succeeds to come to power on its own strength in Uttar Pradesh, the future or the regional parties will not be bright in the country since the success in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election will enable BJP to become stronger,’’ Deve Gowda said.
On other political party leaders joining BJP in the state, the former prime minister said there are intelligent leaders in the BJP and the leaders of other political parties, who want to join BJP, have to think twice before taking a final decision. “State BJP leaders welcomed M Rajasekhara Murthy into their party by arranging a colourful procession. What happened to Murthy after joining the BJP? The BJP leaders did not consult Murthy while distributing tickets to BJP candidates from Mysuru district to contest to the State Assembly. Why did S Bangarappa, who joined BJP, quit the party after a few months? BJP leaders have their own strategy to invite other politicians to the BJP,’’ the former prime minister said.
Asked about former union minister and Maharashtra governor S M Krishna’s plans and former minister Ambareesh’s plans to join the BJP, the former prime minister said Krishna was a mature politician and good administrator. “Krishna has not made any announcement of his joining the BJP. He is observing the developments in the BJP. I am not qualified to advise Krishna whether or not join the BJP. Ambarish has earned name not only in Mandya but also other parts of the state as a good artiste,’’ he said.
No dynastic politics in JD(S)
Deve Gowda has made it clear that he was not in favour to introduce dynastic politics in the JD(S). Gowda said that he was not instrumental in H D Kumaraswamy becoming chief minister from February 2006 to October 2007. “The people of state did not make Kumaraswamy as the chief minister. He was popular in Kannada film industry by making films and distributing films. Now I want him to become chief minister again because he had done a wonderful job as the chief minister in 20 months. No other chief minister has done such number of good works. I know how many problems he had faced during that 20 months. When Congress was baying for his blood in the Assembly, the then Deputy Chief Minister (BJP) did not come to his rescue,’’ Gowda said.
On Narendra Modi
While appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talkative skills, Deve Gowda has questioned the need for Modi to organize road shows in Varanasi for three days. “It shows that Modi is not sure about delivering promises made during the Lok Sabha election. If he is confident enough about his two-and-half year rule, why did he conducts road-shows for three days in Varanasi?’’ he asked.
