Burnt my fingers supporting Congress in 2004 – Deve Gowda
Mangaluru: “From the past three months, a number of untoward incidents have taken place in Dakshina Kannada. Since we had organised a Peace March, we had approached the police commissioner seeking permission for the same. The police commissioner had given the permission to hold the peace March but later in the night the police commissioner informed us that section 144 was imposed in the district and requested us to postpone the March. We will Hold the peace March during the second week of February,” said the former prime minister Deve Gowda in a press meet held at the Circuit house here on January 22.
Addressing the media persons former PM Deve Gowda said, “I am here in Mangaluru for three reasons, to attend a wedding, visit Deepak and Basheer’s house and to attend the centenary of St Sebastian Church Permannur. When I visited Deepak and Basheer’s house I felt very sad about the families and prayed for them. We had thought of holding a peace march with the people of all communities but were not able to get the permission from the police department due section 144 which was imposed in the district. Now we have decided to have a Peace March during the second week of February and in this connection, I will come to Mangaluru again to brief the press.”
Deve Gowda further said, “In the forthcoming elections we will field our candidates in all the 224 constituencies. We want to build our party according to our own principles. When I was the prime minister and also the Chief Minister I had given a good governance. In the forthcoming elections, we have many issues such as Mahadayi, Kaveri and the problems faced by the farmers. If we come to power we will honour all our promises like H D Kumaraswamy did.”
When asked about joining hands with Congress party if the situation demands, Deve Gowda said, “I have already burnt my fingers joining hands with Congress in 2004. By February end we will announce our candidates for the forthcoming elections. We will also compromise with the communists and allow them to contest from some of the constituencies.
When asked about joining hands with SDPI and contest the elections, Deve Gowda said, “For us principles are more important than power. JD(S) has never compromised with its Principles. In 2006, H D Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP without listening to my advice and is repenting for his mistake. In the coming elections, we have hopes of winning more seats. We will keep the Mahadayi, Kaveri and the farmers issues for which we have solutions in front of the people.”
Chief General Secretary of JD(S) B M Farooq, General Secretary Abdul Rauf Puthige, Ramesh Gowda, M B Sadashiv, Mohammed Kunhi, Ashwin Pereira, Akshith Suvarna, Vasanth Poojary, M K Khader, and others were also present.