Gowda ready to leave mantle to younger leader

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has expressed the desire to relinquish the party8217;s top post to the younger generation, if some capable leader came forward to succeed him.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has expressed the desire to relinquish the party8217;s top post to the younger generation, if some capable leader came forward to succeed him.

8220;I am not interested in continuing as a JDS national president. If there emerges a better leader, I am willing to relinquish the post and work for the party,8217;8217; he said at a press conference after taking part in the party national executive meet that began on Sunday. Gowda said he was not using the meet as a platform to show his strength vis-a-vis his rival camp headed by M P Veerendra Kumar.

8220;All those who attended today8217;s meet have come because of their commitment to the party8217;s ideology and principles. It is not a meet to prove majority to ensure my continuance as party president,8217;8217; he said.

Gowda also denied allegations that his was an opportunist party. 8220;Our principles of secularism are intact,8221; he said and sought to clarify that he had no 8220;evil designs8221; as alleged by critics to continue his son, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswam in power.

8220;My only dream is to make JDS a national party. For this, we are contesting the forthcoming Assembly polls in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab,8221; he said.

Asked whether the JDS would complain to the BJP on the series of Virat Hindu Conventions organised by the VHP and other Hindu outfits, Gowda said: 8220;As none of the BJP leaders are attending these functions, we have no objections on these rallies. But, if they create communal tension and harm minorities, the party will strongly oppose. We will never compromise on these issues,8221; Gowda said.

Gowda predicted a fresh political polarisation at the national level in the coming days. 8220;I have already spoken to JDU national president Sharad Yadav about reuniting the Janata Parivar at the national level. They were all like my brothers, but after the party split, they have become cousins,8221; he said.

Story continues below this ad

Of the 45 executive members, 39 attended the meet on Sunday and the remaining six are expected to turn up on Monday, party secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali said.

The total strength of the JDS national executive was 55, of which 10 members including Veerendra Kumar, PGR Sindhia, Surendra Mohan have been suspended on disciplinary grounds. Ali said the party would adopt separate resolutions on politics, defence, external affairs and farmers on Monday.