Prime Minister speaks to Gowda, seeks JD (S) support

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telephoned former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday and sought the support of his party’s three members in the Lok Sabha during the trust vote scheduled for July 22.

“The Prime Minister spoke to me this morning. I will be meeting him in New Delhi tomorrow (Saturday)”, Gowda told reporters in Bangalore yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s telephone call to Gowda, who is also the national President of JD (S), comes in the midst of hectic efforts by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to cobble up the numbers required to pass the floor test in the wake of the Left parties decision to withdraw support over the nuclear deal.

Gowda, however, has chosen to play his cards close to the chest. Without revealing whether the JD (S) would vote in favour of against the confidence motion, the former Prime Minister merely said he would call on Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Saturday and hold discussions with him in the regard.

“Any decision on supporting the UPA Government during the trust vote on July 22 will be taken keeping in mind the interests of the JD (S) and to strengthen it”, he said.

Meanwhile, senior leader of the JD (S) met in Bangalore yesterday and decided to authorize Gowda to take an “appropriate” decision on the crucial matter.

In another development, JD (S) MP from Kerala Veerendra Kumar, who had revolted against Gowda after the JD (S) in Karnataka decided to align with the BJP and form a coalition Government two years ago, has decided to return to the party.
Confirming the development, Gowda said Veerendra Kumar, who was heading a breakaway faction of the JD (S), will be returning to the “parent” party. Gowda said Veerendra Kumar had expressed his bitterness after JD (S) joined hands with BJP. “But, it is all over now”, Gowda added.