The Hindu : Gowda vows to oust Cong. from power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Gowda vows to oust Cong. from power

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore May 17. The former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, has said that he is committed to the ouster of the Congress Government in the State, and the unity of the Janata Dal groups can pave the way for the formation of the next government by the Janata Dal.

He was presiding over the birth centenary celebrations of the former Prime Minister, Charan Singh, organised by the State unit of the Janata Dal (United). The leaders of various Janata Dal groups, including the President of the JD(U) and Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Sharad Yadav, participated in the programme.

Mr. Deve Gowda called upon the leaders of the Janata Dal groups to go in for an introspection on whether they were pursuing the ideals of eminent Janata Party leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Charan Singh, and said the need of the hour was the consolidation of the backward classes, the minorities, labourers, and farmers, who constituted the backbone of the Janata Dal. It was time to sink differences among leaders, and pave the way for a united Janata Dal.

He said: "Irrespective of whoever joins me, I am committed to the ouster of the Congress Government in the State, and come what may, I will achieve it. With a united Janata Dal, we can easily overcome the challenges posed by the Congress and the BJP. I am confident that the merger of the Janata Dal groups will come about at an appropriate time. There are people working against the unity of the Janata Dal. Let us not allow them to take control. Their aim is to remain in the seat of power."

The former Prime Minister said that in Indian politics, there had been only two important leaders who worked for the betterment of the farmers — Charan Singh and Devi Lal. It was this that prompted him to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Charan Singh. It was unfortunate that Charan Singh could not participate in a parliamentary session as Prime Minister, since his Government was dissolved before one could be convened. Charan Singh had enemies in the Janata Party after a massive farmers' rally was held at the Boat Club in New Delhi to mark his birthday celebrations. Over 30 lakh farmers attended the programme, and some partymen wanted to checkmate him. He was so popular that in the 1980 elections, the party managed to win 60 seats.

Referring to the recent announcement that the Union Government had decided to waive the interest on all farm loans in the current year, Mr. Deve Gowda said the original announcement was later amended by the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, and as per a report, the interest due in the current year would be collected in five instalments. "The whole scheme ended up as a gimmick," he remarked.

Yadav's criticism

Mr. Sharad Yadav expressed disgust at the developments in the Janata Dal groups in the State, said they were splitting even as merger discussions were in progress. Karnataka had always provided the lead for a third force to emerge in the country, and it had to do so once again. A united Janata Dal in the State had secured victories for the party's candidates in seven byelections over the past three years. The unity efforts should start from Karnataka, and the JD(U), which was committed to its association with the National Democratic Alliance during the present term of the Lok Sabha, would also follow suit.

He said that while the Centre spent about Rs. 18,000 crore a year for poverty alleviation programmes, hardly any money reached the poor. Efforts were now being made to ensure the programmes were properly implemented, he added.

The President of the State unit of the JD(S), Siddaramaiah; the Floor Leader of the JD(U) in the Legislative Assembly, P.G.R. Sindhia; the President of the Lok Janashakthi State unit, M.S. Patil; the President, Vice-President, and Secretary-General of the State unit of the JD(U), N. Thippanna, C. Narasimhappa, and B. Shreepathy Rao, respectively, spoke. The JD(U) leader, H.T. Krishnappa, welcomed the gathering.

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