Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the latter does not genuinely uphold the principles of social justice and uses the narrative selectively for political purposes.
Addressing the Greater Bengaluru JDS convention and silver jubilee gathering, Deve Gowda said the Chief Minister invokes social justice rhetoric primarily for political expediency and must introspect on his actual commitment to these ideals.
Referring to political developments in the past, he claimed that certain AHINDA leaders had contributed to the fall of H. D. Kumaraswamy’s government and attempted to weaken the Janata Dal (Secular). In response, he said, the decision to align with the BJP was taken with his approval. He added that Kumaraswamy is currently discharging his responsibilities effectively as a Union Minister, but alleged lack of cooperation from the State Government on key issues such as Kudremukh and HMT.
Deve Gowda emphasised that matters concerning the State’s interests should not be politicised and said Kumaraswamy continues to work with determination despite challenges. He also pointed to the strength of the NDA alliance in Bihar, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reinforced the leadership of Nitish Kumar, ensuring stable governance. In contrast, he alleged that the Congress party’s approach towards JDS eroded trust, ultimately pushing the party towards the NDA alliance.
Criticising the Chief Minister’s absence at the ‘Daridra Narayana’ rally, Deve Gowda said the event was organised to support a Muslim candidate and questioned Siddaramaiah’s commitment to social justice. He noted that the Chief Minister arrived only towards the end of the programme, which he described as a lack of seriousness.
In a strongly worded remark, Deve Gowda termed the present State Government as the worst he has witnessed in his six decades of public life, stating that public dissatisfaction is rising and people are waiting for an opportunity to respond democratically.
Highlighting party preparedness, he said JDS has already appointed coordinators across five divisions in Bengaluru and is gearing up for upcoming elections with full organisational strength.
He also underlined JDS’s role in advocating women’s reservation, recalling that he had initiated discussions on the issue during his tenure as Prime Minister. He noted that while it did not materialise then, the proposal has now been realised under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, and welcomed the move to hold a special Parliament session on the matter.
Concluding his address, the veteran leader reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the party, stating that he is ready to travel across Karnataka to mobilise leaders and workers. He called for unity within the party and expressed confidence that collective efforts would enhance its prospects in the State.
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