Gowda rules out JD (S) joining NDA

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has categorically ruled out the possibility of JD (S) associating itself with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Gowda’s statement has come as a clarification to the publication of an interview he gave to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece - Organiser – in which he had been quoted as saying that his party is willing to extend issue-based support to the NDA at the Centre.

Gowda said there was no question of JD (S) straying away from the party ideology spelt out at the time of its formation in 1999. “Just because the party has associated itself with the BJP in Karnataka, it does not mean that the JD (S) has conveniently changed its party ideology and is now shifting in favour of fundamentalist forces”, Gowda said.

Gowda said he had merely said the JD (S) was open to extending issue-based support to any political party that agrees with its ideology and programmes aimed at protecting, farmers, minorities and the rural sector.

When asked whether JD (S) would enter into an alliance with the BJP in the next Legislative Assembly elections in Karnataka, Gowda said “we will think about it when the time comes”.

But, Gowda said the JD (S), which is heading the coalition Government in Karnataka, would hand over charge to the BJP as per the power-sharing agreement if the latter stuck to the common minimum programme called the Karnataka Development Programme. “Should the BJP agree on these programmes, his party will not hesitate to extend support. If the BJP raises the contentious issues of Hindutva and Ram Temple, the JD (S) would keep away from it”, he warned.

Gowda’s son and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is scheduled to step down as Chief Minister during October 2007 after the end of the twenty month period.