HD Deve Gowda goes soft on PM Narendra Modi, cites freedom of speech

MANGALURU: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda said on Monday that he will not react to PM Narendra Modi’s remarks against the JD(S).
To a query on Modi calling JD(S) a ‘private limited party of a family,’ Gowda refused to comment and said, “he is our prime minister and he has the freedom of speech.”
Gowda spoke to media persons at Surakthkal in Mangaluru City North constituency, where JD(S) candidate BA Mohiuddin Bava, who quit the Congress recently, is contesting.
Recalling a 2014 speech of Modi, Gowda said, “He (Modi) had offered to take care of me in Gujarat after I lost a challenge that Modi cannot form a government on his own. I had said that I will resign from positions if Modi becomes the Prime Minister. Later, I said I have my children to take care of me. However, it was Modi who convinced me to continue in politics and guide him. Hence, I will not make personal allegations. I will not make any sharp reactions to his statements. Everyone has individual liberty to speak.” The former PM also refused to comment on the BJP’s manifesto that promises implementation of Uniform Civil Code in Karnataka.
However, Gowda asked Modi to show real concern towards the empowerment of women by passing the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. “The constitutional amendment ensures 33% reservation for women in the Parliament and assemblies. If Modi is really having concern towards women empowerment, he should ensure the Bill is passed,” Gowda said.
On the guarantee cards distributed by Congress, Gowda said that without making any such promises, HD Kumaraswamy had proven his commitments towards people when he was the CM . “There is no need of any guarantee card. Kumaraswamy is the only son of the soil in the entire nation, who had waived off farm loans fully. He provided water connections to each village and announced loan waiver for women,” he said.
“JD(S) campaigns have been witnessing huge response in each village in the state. The political scenario in the state is entirely different from that of 2018. I have confidence that we will get a majority,” Gowda said.
Later, Gowda participated in campaign meetings and visited religious shrines in Mangaluru City North constituency.