Hope to form government in Karnataka, says HD Deve Gowda

The countdown has begun in Karnakata --- the state will go to polls in just a couple of months --- it's a direct fight between the Congress Party which is now in power and the BJP. However, there is another significant player in the state --- HD Deve Gowda's Janata Dal Secular was once a force to be reckoned with in the state. But, over the last few years, JDS has been relegated to a distant third.

While many believe that a best result for the party would be to play the role of a kingmaker, the old warhorse Deve Gowda is eyeing the big prize. Speaking to CNBC-TV18's Rukmini Rao, the former Prime Minister and chief minister of Karnataka is optimistic about his party's prospects. When asked if he will truck with the BJP or Congress, Deve Gowda kept his cards close to his chest saying "he has burnt his fingers" by allying with both parties in the past.