JDS could be the king, why a kingmaker, says Gowda

April 22, 2013

Bangalore, Apr 22: JDS supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today did not rule out the possibility of his party emerging as the "king" rather than a kingmaker in the May 5 Assembly elections in Karnataka, witnessing a multi-cornered contest also involving BJP, Congress and KJP.

Gowda, whose party had run coalitions with Congress and BJP in the state, said that in politics, "nobody should be pessimistic" and cited the examples of BSP and SP which had emerged on their own in Uttar Pradesh.

When asked if his party would be the king or a kingmaker, Gowda replied, "Why not the king? I am not saying this with exaggeration."

Gowda was replying to to a query at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Bangalore Reporters Guild and Press Club of Bangalore.

JDS headed by Gowda's son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is contesting 223 of the total 224 Assembly seats. It derives strength mainly from the Vokkaliga community belt but is seeking to widen its base, wooing many a candidate from rival parties.

At the same time, he said, he would not find fault if the Congress hoped to return to power after nearly eight years or the ruling BJP expected to remain in the saddle. "How people will vote, nobody can make a guess."

He parried a query as to which party JDS would support in case of a hung verdict, saying at the state level, regional parties had opportunities to come to power on their own.

On assertions by BJP and Congress that no coalition government could be formed at the Centre without support of either of them, he said both the national parties were scouting for allies which "is a reality."

Asked whether the third front would try to win over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or "allow him to go to Congress" as he was pitching for a "secular prime minister" in relation to his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, Gowda said he did not like to discuss individuals.

On whether he would contest the next Lok Sabha polls, he quipped, "I have never said I will retire from politics. Wait and see." He added his contesting would depend on his health.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

Comments