Deve Gowda speaks of mid-term polls in Karnataka. There is a twist
Former PM Deve Gowda said he was misunderstood by the media which assumed his mid-term poll comment was about the HD Kumaraswamy government. He insisted that he was talking about the local body elections.
HD Deve Gowda, the Janata Dal Secular leader who had predicted mid-term polls in Karnataka a few hours earlier, backtracked soon after and insisted that he had been misunderstood. Deve Gowda said the government led by son HD Kumaraswamy would complete its full term.
Deve Gowda had ruled out the possibility of mid-term polls only on Thursday, a day before he launched--what was widely seen as--an offensive against the Congress for badly treating JDS and a prediction for a mid-term poll in the state. (PTI FILE)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The former Prime Minister now says that he was misunderstood as he was referring to “the local body elections and not assembly elections”
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
“There is an understanding signed between JDS and Congress”, he pointed out, in order to ward off concerns triggered by his earlier statement in the day that suggested he was unsure about Congress’ intentions to stay in alliance with JDS in the state of Karnataka.
Deve Gowda had ruled out the possibility of mid-term polls only on Thursday, a day before he launched--what was widely seen as--an offensive against the Congress for badly treating JDS and a prediction for a mid-term poll in the state.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Speaking to reporters at his house on Friday, Deve Gowda had said “There is no doubt that there will be mid-term polls…. They had given us their word that they will support the government, but I am watching how they are behaving.”
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Speaking to reporters at his house on Friday, Deve Gowda had said “There is no doubt that there will be mid-term polls…. They had given us their word that they will support the government, but I am watching how they are behaving.”
{{/usCountry}}
He even reminded Congress that his son HD Kumaraswamy became chief minister on its insistence and not JDS while referring to reports that suggested former chief minister and Gowda’s one-time protégé Siddaramaiah had advised Congress president Rahul Gandhi to end the coalition. Siddaramaiah’s office had denied the reports.
“People in that party [Congress] feel that their party will be finished if they continue in alliance with us. They say the sooner this coalition is ended the better.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
“I wasn’t adamant on making this coalition government. They approached me.... I told them to make Kharge the chief minister,” he said, adding that the high command insisted that Kumaraswamy should take that post instead.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
