Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 24: Despite many pre-poll surveys predicting the possibility of a hung assembly, Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda has refuted claims that JD(S) may form a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Congress.

In an interview with the ANI, Deve Gowda, whom one of the surveys touted as a 'kingmaker' said, "I will not form a coalition with the BJP under any circumstances. The state suffered so badly because of the BJP rule. In five years, there were three chief ministers. That is BJP's contribution. I don't want to name the leaders who have gone to jail during BJP rule in Karnataka."

Secularism is something JD(S) party strictly follows and his party will not merge with any party which practices discrimination, he stressed, and added that his son Kumaraswamy is a better alternative compared to Congress party’s Siddaramaiah and BJP's Yeddyurappa.

Deve Gowda lashed at Siddaramaiah for the erosion of various government institutions. “We brought the Lokayukta Bill. Now, what is there? Now, all the powers have been taken over by the great chief minister and there is an anti-corruption bureau, which is headed by the chief minister," Deve Gowda said.

"What happened to the Karnataka Public Service Commission? What happened to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)? What is going on in the BBMP?" the JD(S) supremo rhetorically questioned.

He, however, immediately took the blame of supporting the Congress in the Corporation.

"I have also to take the blame as I supported Congress (in the corporation). Just only to protect my secular credentials, I agreed (to support Congress). The BJP was at my doors but I said no to it. But, hereafter supporting (Congress), what is our position?" he questioned.

Speaking on JD(S) collaboration with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and its chief Mayawati, he said, "Mayawaiti has contested twice in Karnataka. In some constituencies, she was able to get some sizeable votes. Last time 48 seats were lost by a margin of 5000-2000 votes. Pact with Mayawati will help me. It will help Mayawati in four-five constituencies”.

When asked about the existence of dynasty politics in JD(S), Deve Gowda said that it is not only his sons who are contesting and it is up to the people to decide. “If Yeddyurappa's son is going to contest, if Siddaramaiah's son is going to contest; why should I bother? They are going to be tested by the people. If they get the mandate, they will go (to the assembly) and if they don't get the mandate, they won't go. Similarly, if my both sons will go through people's mandate then who am I or anybody to object," he said.

Deve Gowda said that he has suffered as he always stood for secularism. Speaking about his decision to give reservation to Muslims, he said "I don't want to talk about fundamentalism. It is humanity which made me to give reservation. The top leaders are shouting about this, but I never shouted. I also gave political reservation which made Muslim ladies to become mayor twice in Bangalore city. There are 12 Muslim corporators,"

Speaking on why Muslims do not vote for JD(S), he said that there was some mistake committed by his son, but he has never tried to harm any minority, justified Deve Gowda.