JALANDHAR, Sept 30: Former prime minister Deve Gowda today said no national debate was required on the efficacy of Article 356 and announced to end months of his political hibernation by proclaiming to undertake a six-month coutrywide tour to rejuvenate the Janata Dal which, he said, was in a `bad shape'.Gowda, best known for his `simple farmer' image, was philosophical and reflective while blaming the politicians for the ills plaguing the country during an informal chat with media persons here today.He did not spare his own party leadership for going astray in different directions even on the latest issue of imposition of Article 356 on Bihar. Gowda candidly admitted that the Janata Dal leadership at the Centre had let down lakhs of workers in the country whom he intended to motivate and imspire during his six-month tour of all states.Reiterating that no national debate was required on Article 356, Gowda said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was himself a member of the Morarji government which was instrumental in dismissing nine state governments during its Central rule. ``Where is the need for debate now,'' he questioned?He refrained from commenting on the recommendations to impose Central rule in Bihar and President's returning the proposal.``The Bihar unit of Janata Dal is the worst victim of the government in power. At least 70 workers have been put behind bars while five have died due to police atrocities,'' Gowda said.He said the Political Affairs Committee of the JD had also favoured the opinion of Bihar JD.When reminded that the United Front government had also had to face a similar situation when its proposal for President's rule in Uttar Pradesh was returned by the President, Gowda said he had no idea under what circumstances the proposal was made or returned. ``I was not party to anything. Gujral was the prime minister then,'' he added.Coming down heavily on the current JD central leadership, Gowda said lakhs of selfless and dedicated workers of the party had been thoroughly disgusted with the behaviour of the senior party leaders. He said he would endeavour to prepare the workers, consolidate the party organisation and motivate them to fight the next elections with full spirit.Regarding Article 356, Gowda said during his tenure he had called a meeting of the National Integration Council in which chief ministers from all states belonging to different parties, had participated. He said although the meeting had adopted 70 per cent of the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission on centre-state relationships, there was no unanimity on the status of Article 356.``Some wanted it scrapped, others wanted amendment. There was no final decision,'' he said, adding that the matter was referred to a sub committee before he vacated the office.Regarding coalition politics, Gowda said the country had no alternative. He said it was for the people to judge the coalition experiment during his tenure and also the current 19-party coalition led by the BJP.Gowda blamed politicians for landing the country in such a state of chaos saying they had been misleading people for their short term gains.
