Discussions on JD(S)-BJP ties screech to a halt

BENGALURU: The JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda seems to have started preparations for the party to contest next year’s Lok Sabha election independently. He has earlier said that the JD(S) will not ally with any party, giving rise to speculation that the friendship between JD(S) and BJP may have ended even before it started.

In doing so, Deve Gowda’s message to his party leaders and cadre is being seen as a morale booster not to lose confidence due to the poor show in the Assembly elections and to prepare for the Lok Sabha polls. In his long political innings, Deve Gowda has battled many failure and had been able to reorganise the party every time and now he seems to be sending out a message to the two national parties by opting to contest independently.

Deve Gowda told the party leaders to focus on the goal and not to heed any talk about ties. He told party workers that they have already conveyed their stand on the reported ties and hence, the party workers need not worry about it and to concentrate on strengthening the party. “People are angry with the two national parties. Let’s take this advantage and face the election”, he told the party cadre.

Deve Gowda called on party activists to highlight the shortcomings in the Congress’s guarantees by going to every doorstep and to promote the Pancharatna programme of H D Kumaraswamy. Deve Gowda is expected to take a decision on allocating tickets for the Lok Sabha election after detailed consultations. He has also told party leaders that they will be responsible for organising the party in their constituencies.