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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 15: JD(S) Supremo and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda said that he is confident of strengthening his party JD(S) in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district.

Gowda was addressing a press conference in city at Circuit House on Saturday, October 15.

Dakshina Kannada

“I am touring the entire state in order to strengthen the party. I am starting this from Mangaluru. DK is a special district for us. Some years back, this place was a JD(S) stronghold. During the time of Vasantha Bangera, the party flourished here. Now we may not be as strong as before. But we have not lost base here as some people say. It is only a matter of strengthening the party. We are on the path now.” Deve Gowda said.

Srinivasa Prasad

Commenting on the news that JD(S) is in touch with former minister Srinivasa Prasad who will quit Congress soon, Deve Gowda said “Srinivasa Prasad is a good friend. If he comes to our party, he is always welcome. But I do not force anyone. Many leaders are willing to join us. They are always welcome, but there is no force for them to come to us.”

Regional Party

“In my 55 years of political experience, what I have seen is, regional parties are very much necessary for the benefit of people in states. Political experts too have opined the same. Only regional parties can do justice to governance in state politics. Hence, JD (S) which is a regional party should be supported.” Deve Gowda said.

Leaders in JD (S)

When asked about why leaders in the present rank of H D Kumaraswamy are not encouraged in JD (S), he said “We have always encouraged leaders without any bias, discrimination, or partiality. We had C M Ibrahim, Patil, Siddaramaiah and A Krishnappa. I just cannot forget any of them who were with us. Some left us and some joined us. But we always nurture leaders. One can see it in the party and the present setup.”

Farmer’s woes

When asked his opinion on uniform civil code, Gowda said “Is it important and necessary now to talk about uniform civil code, when we have other problems? We have more serious problems of farmers in the state. While the neighbouring states have done much better for farmers, our state lags behind in this issue. So we need to look into this matter with utmost priority. I will start an agitation for farmers from Mangaluru soon.”

B A Farooq issue

Commenting on B A Farooq issue, he said “Farooq stood from our party for Rajya Sabha elections. He loved our party and policies. Many influential people tried to dissuade him. But he did not fear them. He did not care about threats.”

Mangaluru

Deve Gowda said that Mangaluru is a strategic place in India which deserves to be the Industrial capital. He opined that it has great potential to be a tourist hub in the country.

Yettinahole

Referring to Yettinahole project, Gowda said “If this project is unsuitable for the district, and the people do not want it, then leaders who want the project to be implemented should be taught a lesson by people. As per the water demands for Kolar and Chikkaballapur are concerned, there is no doubt that they need water. The government should give them required water without inconveniencing other districts.”

Deve Gowda also said that JD (S) will field candidates in all 224 constituencies for the assembly. 

Leaders Amarnath Shetty, JD(S) district president B Mohammed Kunhi Vittal and Madhu Bangarappa were present among others in the press conference.