Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda said every party had associated with the BJP either directly or indirectly and that he he could not tell which party was communal and which party was not. He was answering a question on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's efforts to forge an anti-BJP alliance in the country ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
"I may discuss the country's politics at length but what is the use of it? Show me one party which has not associated with the BJP, either directly or indirectly. Some Congress leaders may say anything. But they had gone to Karunanidhi (DMK patriarch), who supported the BJP for six years. Many Congress leaders have joined hands with the BJP for political gains and it is obvious in Karnataka, too. I have seen the political atmosphere in this country as a PM, CM, and an MP. So, I will not discuss it," said Deve Gowda.
The JD(S) leader, who did not sound very optimistic about the ongoing efforts to forge an anti-BJP front, also refused to disclose if he would be part of the united opposition if and when it is formed.
"I could not tell which party is communal and which is not. First of all, the definition of communal and non communal, it can be enlarged, then there would be wider scope," said Deve Gowda.
When asked if the JD(S) would form an alliance with the BJP to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the former PM said he would not heed to such speculations.
"Our karyakartas are our strength and we hope to strengthen the party," he said, adding that the party was preparing to face the taluk and zilla panchayat elections and BBMP polls before the Parliament elections.
Citing the example of the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Deve Gowda said, "These states have strong regional parties and we will strive to strengthen the JD(S) by giving more power to the youth."
