Bengaluru: In an apparent soft corner towards BJP, former Prime Minister and JDS Supremo HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday said sought to know if there was a single party in the
country that has not trucked with the saffron party in any way.
“Show me one party which has not been associated with BJP, either directly or indirectly. Show me one party, then I will answer. Some Congress leaders may say – haven’t they gone with Karunanidhi who supported six years of BJP, whether directly or indirectly,” he told reporters replying to a query
on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s bid to forge an anti-BJP front at the national level.
This remark comes amidst media reports of JDS entering into an alliance with the BJP to fight 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
He further said, “I can go on arguing. That is why I don’t want to discuss this political atmosphere prevailing in this country. There is no need for me to debate. I know what this country is, having served as a prime minister, chief minister and as an MP since 1991. I watched the entire proceedings.”
“What happened in Maharashtra? I can quote several instances, not necessary. Only I ask my leaders how to move forward,” the Ex-PM added.
Gowda also said the definition of communal and non-communal can be enlarged.
“Who is communal, who is not communal, I don’t know. First of all, the definition of communal and non-communal can be enlarged. Scope is much,” he said.
Nitish Kumar had convened a meeting of opposition parties in Patna on June 12, but now it stands postponed.
Asked if he would contest Lok Sabha elections, Gowda said, he is 91-year-old, and this question does not arise.
Gowda said he has called a meeting of party leaders to discuss the party’s performance in the recently held assembly polls.
The Ex-PM said the JDS has to start preparing for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls, and it has to identify candidates in the places where it was not fielding.
