Janta Dal (Secular) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Sunday responded to the talks of forgoing opposition unity ahead of Lok Sabha elections and said that the Congress should set its house in order first. He said that there are many options before opposition parties and this nation has a wealth of leadership.
In an interview with PTI, amidst a tough electoral battle between the BJP and the Congress, Gowda expressed his confidence that his JD(S) will come to power and said it was seeking votes in the name of "an inclusive social and development vision, the Pancharatna programme."
He claimed that the idea that the party was "confined" to the Old Mysuru region was "clever propaganda of the national parties."
In his written responses to PTI's questions, he said that national parties make "tall and false claims." When asked about how he sees JD(S) prospects in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections and what will be their strategy, he said, "My party will do well across Karnataka. A lot of people who are cynical and focusing only on the two national parties will be surprised. We are not seeking votes for a divisive agenda. We are seeking votes in the name of an inclusive social and development vision — the Pancharatna programme. My party will come to power and we will implement the programme. Our party strategy is very simple —work hard and be sincere with people, don't keep bluffing to them and don't divide them."
When he was asked about the perception that JD(S) not being able to expand, he said it is clever propaganda of the opposition.
When asked about the party's target of winning 123 seats to form an independent government in the state, he responded that their vision gives them confidence and they don't care about critics calling it an unrealistic target.
He was then asked about the significance of the Karnataka elections and its outcomes' implications in the national political scenario. The senior leader opined that it will set the tone for other state elections this year and also the parliament elections in 2024.
When asked about Rahul Gandhi being convicted in a defamation case and being disqualified as an MP, he said, "I don't want to comment separately. My party's senior leaders have spoken about it already. All I can say is it is very unfortunate."
He was also asked about the possibility of a revival of Janta Parivar and the Third Front, he responded by saying, "Everything is possible. By everything I mean everything. I don't believe in third or fourth front, I believe whatever we do, we'll be the first front to defend this nation and democracy."