My relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not end because of one Rajya Sabha seat: H.D. Deve Gowda

Stating that he had not asked BJP to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha, former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda, whose political career in public office is ending with the completion of his term in Rajya Sabha on June 25, said his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not linked to his nomination.

“I have developed a close relationship with Mr. Modi since 2014 though (Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) Chandrababu Naidu and I had expressed our feelings strongly against Mr. Modi on Godhra issue when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. My relationship with the Prime Minister will not end because of one Rajya Sabha seat,” said the nonagenarian leader who has been in active politics for over six decades.

‘I told HDK to support Modi’

“I may meet him or write to him on issues concerning the State. I have justified and supported Mr. Modi’s leadership, and stood with him to see country’s all round development. I had told Mr. Kumaraswamy to go with Mr. Modi,” he said, addressing a press meet in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The statement of the veteran leader and founder of Janata Dal (Secular), which is BJP’s ally in National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comes after the Congress leaders attacked the BJP over denial of re-nomination, and said it was “humiliation and insult” heaped on the JD (S) supremo.

The Congress has also sought to remind that his current Rajya Sabha membership was with the help of Sonia Gandhi and Congress party. When asked about the Congress’s comments, he said, “I am not interested in this issue and do not wish to comment more.”

“If I was interested in contesting I would have discussed the matter with Prime Minister and Home Minister (Amit Shah) when I went to Delhi for a book release on May 26. I did not discuss it with anyone,” the former Prime Minister told presspersons. “You (media) gave me publicity saying that my name is also being considered with other names. I am thankful.”

Long career

Reminiscing on his political career, the Vokkaliga leader said, “I am 93. How long has it been since I came to politics through the election to Taluk Development Board in 1960? Before that I was elected as the President of Anjaneya Credit Cooperative Society in 1954-1955. How long do I have to be in politics?”

Mr. Gowda said he had welcomed the statement of his son and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy when he said with 18 members in Legislative Assembly, they were not expecting the Rajya Sabha nomination.

Future plans

On his future plans, he said: “I will not rest. I will do whatever is possible to strengthen our party. We are part of the NDA and JD (S) has to be strengthened. I will go to party programmes and will visit party office. Till whatever time it is possible, I will continue to work for the State and country.”