Deve Gowda, Siddaramaiah share stage after 12 years

BENGALURU: The last time former PM HD Deve Gowda and former CM Siddaramaiah shared the stage was 12 years ago when the latter was in JD(S) and deputy chief minister.
On Saturday, as they shared the dais for a JD(S)-Congress joint press conference, the two stalwarts of Karnataka politics appeared to have put the past behind, each praising the other, and sought to project a united front ahead of the coming elections.

"Siddaramaiah and Gowda may have two different bodies but their heart and soul is the same," chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said at the press conference.

"This joint press conference is more about them coming together after 12 years rather than firming up of the coalition between JD(S) and Congress."

The duo had traded barbs, and abuses, since 2006 when Siddaramaiah quit as deputy CM and joined Congress after being expelled from JD(S). But the hung verdict delivered in the assembly elections earlier this year has forced them to swallow their pride and join hands to fight for survival.

Leaders praise each other

On Saturday, to set the stage for an alliance that may have a national impact, Siddaramaiah and Gowda exchanged “goodwill” and “respect.’’ “The 60 years of political experience of our former PM is unmatched. There is no other person I know of who has such vast knowledge,” Siddaramaiah said of Gowda.

The former PM returned the compliment, saying: “The JD(S)may be strong in old Mysuru but look at the man who is sitting beside me. Who is he? Is he not a strong leader from the region? Congress has Siddaramaiah and others also from Mysuru.”

Asked if Siddaramaiah trusted the secular credentials of JD(S), Gowda said: “Try as much as you want, but you cannot rake up ill feelings between me and Siddaramaiah over past differences.”