A day after Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda categorically ruled out supporting either the BJP or the Congress in case of a hung verdict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised everyone by praising Deve Gowda as a veteran leader of the country, while criticising the Congress leaders for attacking the former prime minister.
“Public life demands certain decency and respect. There might be political differences between parties, but one must maintain dignity and decorum. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda ji calls on me in Delhi, I always give him time. In fact, I personally receive him at the doorstep and also escort him to his car when he takes leave. He might have opposed us politically and even voted against us in the Parliament. But I have no right to forget he is a former PM and a veteran leader of this country. But the way Congress leaders and the party president have been referring to Deve Gowda ji is shameful. It only reflects their upbringing and mindset,” said Modi, while addressing an election rally in Udupi on Tuesday.
It may be recalled that Deve Gowda had reiterated that his party would not join hands with any party amid speculations that a hung verdict could lead to a coalition government, where JDS would emerge as the kingmaker. However, Deve Gowda had gone a step ahead saying that he would disown his son and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, if he joined hands with the BJP, defying his order.
Earlier, Modi charged the Congress government with playing “vindictive politics” and held it responsible for the killing of Hindu activists in the state. “We (BJP) are talking about enhancing ease of doing business in the country, but the Congress believes in ease of doing murder,” said Modi.
The ruling Congress, which has been alleging that the JDS is only a “B Team of the BJP”, chose to counter Modi's attack with a tweet. KPCC chief Dr G. Parameshwara tweeted saying: “Respected Modi ji, we know how to respect former PM Devegowda and all other seniors. But you should not forget to respect the ladders that helped you scale new heights. The country has watched the respect you have shown veteran leader L.K. Advani.”
Meanwhile, JDS has welcomed Modi's gesture but reasserted its earlier stand of maintaining a safe distance from both the national parties. “We welcome the prime minister's kind words. And there will be no post-poll alliance,” said JDS spokesperson Tanveer Ahmed.