Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD/SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 5: 'JD(S) does not have a strong presence in Mangaluru at present. To make it stronger, we will have to start building it from grass root level. I am here to strengthen the party from the the bottom,' said H D Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India.

He was addressing a press meet held here on Wednesday November 5 at Circuit House in the city. The party leaders had met there to discuss ways and means to revitalize the party in the region.

 Addressing the media, Gowda said that he will visit all the 224 assembly constituencies in the state personally to strengthen the JD(S). 'We have three and half years before us before the next assembly election falls due. I want to utilize this gap to improve the popularity base of JD(S) party and get more seats in the assembly election. Everyone should think that Deve Gowda is still working for his party even at such an advanced age."

'If anybody wants to join Kumaraswamy (former Karnataka chief minister) to strengthen his hands, they can do so. I have no objection. I am not retiring soon and I will attend parliamentary sessions whenever possible. It takes lot of efforts to build a party. One cannot build a party single-handedly. The effort requires public support. I believe that JD(S) has the vigor and potential it needs to grow big here. I am of the strong opinion that the party will get good results in near future from this region, he said.

Deve Gowda also recollected his son, Kumaraswamy's tenure as chief minister of Karnataka. 'When Kumaraswamy was the chief minister, he worked for the society and masses. He has done lot of good work during his short tenure as chief minister for the state. He always prefers to fight against injustice and continues to stick to this principle even now. After the 2013 state election, seven districts of Karnataka were devastated by heavy rain and flood and Kumaraswamy visited these affected areas to help the people,' he stated.

Talking about women empowerment, former Prime Minister said, 'Modi claims women empowerment to be his first priority. When I was the prime minister, my top priority was the same and even now this happens to be close to my heart,' Gowda added.

At present, JD(S) does not have a state president as Kumaraswamy has resigned, he mentioned. Briefing about the electing of new JD(S) state president, Gowda said that he will elect a suitable person for this post within two weeks, duly adding he will be giving priority to women candidates when choosing the state president.

'Law and order situation in Karnataka is in shambles. Since the last one and half years, newspapers have been full of news items relating to murder, suicide and sexual harassment news. The government is not serious about these issues,' said Gowda talking about various sexual harassment cases going on in Karnataka.

Deve Gowda said that he failed to convince several of JD(S) members against leaving the party. He asserted that he had never condemned or spoken lowly of them.

'Everyone knows that people join parties to get power or post,' he stated.

Regarding the black money, Gowda said that huge amount of black money stands stashed away within the country. 'Lot of scams are happening in India and the government is not taking any action on them to get hold of the money involved with them,' he regretted.

Deve Gowda also met his party workers at Shanthi Nilaya to discuss about strengthening his party's presence in Mangaluru.

JD(S) leader M B Sadashiva, city corporator, Aziz and others were present on this occasion.