INDIA bloc leaders making a mockery of secularism: Deve Gowda
The JD(S) supremo has called INDIA block leaders’ bluff, who were once part of the NDA government at the Centre and are now accusing his party of aligning with the communal BJP
In a veiled attack on parties like TMC, DMK, and NCP for aligning with the BJP or Shiv Sena at some of time in the recent history, the JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda on Saturday (March 9) said the INDIA bloc is a bundle of groups who have made secularism a joke.
The former Prime Minister reminded the INDIA bloc alliance that TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was a Railway Minister during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Similarly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's father and former CM M Karunanidhi was with BJP for six years. His son-in-law was a minister in then Union government.
TMC and DMK are part of the INDIA bloc.
Examples galore
"We can quote several instances. The so-called secularism in this country, if anybody speaks (about it), people say it's a joke. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has joined hands with former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. A Congress member was Speaker (in Maharashtra). I can quote several cases and these developments don't suit the real meaning of secularism," Gowda said.
On Congress' allegation that his Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) has joined hands with the communal BJP, the former Prime Minister sought to know how many states the grand old party is ruling. It is only in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, he quipped.
Modi the tallest leader
The 90-year-old leader heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the latter is seeking a mandate for the third time. Modi is different from Vajpayee. The BJP under Vajpayee's leadership was not able to cross more than 180 seats in Lok Sabha polls, while Modi got 282 seats (BJP alone) and with NDA partners, it was over 350 seats in his first term. Now he is aiming to cross 400 seats along with the alliance, Gowda said.
He said that Modi's leadership has been recognised not only in India but also in other countries. “The atmosphere today, whether in India or outside, is such that he (Modi) has got recognition. These people (opposition parties) have no stand and speak irrelevant things. I don't want to be harsh on them,” the veteran politician said, adding, "It's only for the public consumption (attack on Modi), people will not take them seriously."
Gowda advised the opposition parties to realise that Modi is the tallest leader today, which people should accept.
Congress of no use
On Congress allegations that in the last 10 years, there is autocracy and certain "crony capitalists" have benefited and not the poor and deserving, the former prime minister wondered what strength Congress has today and how many seats they can expect. “They were unable to get the recognition (of opposition party) in two terms in Parliament. No use of talking about the Congress party," he noted.
On the seat-sharing formula between the BJP and the JD(S) in Karnataka for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Gowda said his party has not set any conditions.
No forecast on grandson
As there is a buzz about his son and former Chief Minister HD Kumarswamy or his son Nikhil Kumarswamy may be contesting Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S) patriarch said his son will decide as to how things should take shape.
“I can't forecast what is going to happen tomorrow, he (Kumaraswamy) himself is a leader. His leadership is unquestionable. He has to decide. He will discuss everything threadbare with PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and will come up with a proper understanding," Gowda said.
(With agency inputs)
