Bengaluru, Nov 23 (NationPress) Former Prime Minister and JD (S) National President H.D. Deve Gowda asserted that the party will not dissolve its alliance with the NDA under any circumstances.

“We have unwavering confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah,” he remarked.

While addressing party members after launching the JDS Silver Jubilee celebrations, Deve Gowda reiterated, “We remain steadfast with the NDA. We have faith in Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. A robust government is functioning under his guidance. Our members must always remember this.”

During the event, Deve Gowda stated, “In the North, it is JD (U). In the South, it is JD (S),” emphasizing, “There it is Nitish Kumar, and here it is Kumaraswamy.”

He continued, “Nitish Kumar has been in politics for three decades. He has taken the oath ten times. He is a sharp and astute political leader. We must consider that as we advance.”

Gowda reminisced about the party’s enduring relationship with national politics, stating, “During the Emergency, we collaborated with Jayaprakash Narayan and the then-BJP in the second freedom struggle. For the nation’s interest, we must maintain our collaboration. The Congress must face consequences for its poor governance.”

He criticized Siddaramaiah for his remarks in Chamarajanagar, asserting that he would never have become Chief Minister if he had remained in JD (S). “I was prepared to make him Chief Minister,” Gowda asserted.

He recounted that Sonia Gandhi insisted on appointing Dharam Singh as Chief Minister at that time in Karnataka. “In Kashmir, you appointed Ghulam Nabi Azad as Dy CM and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as CM. Similarly, I approached Sonia Gandhi three times, asking her to appoint Siddaramaiah as CM of Karnataka. If Siddaramaiah seeks clarification, he may inquire with her; she is still alive.”

Accusing Siddaramaiah of misrepresenting facts, Gowda stated, “You never convey the truth. You say whatever suits the situation. However, Sonia Gandhi knows the truth. Ahmed Patel was aware too. Sonia was strongly against making you CM. You insisted that you must be our CM candidate, or you would contest the elections. With no alternatives left, we conceded,” Gowda recounted.

He revealed that to assist the party in securing 58 seats, he borrowed Rs 2 crore at midnight from a land dealer named Channappa. “Where was Siddaramaiah then? When you speak, display at least some integrity. Do not lie,” he thundered.

Gowda challenged Siddaramaiah’s claims about his qualifications. “The late Ramakrishna Hegde served as Chief Minister for eight years. Did he make you Finance Minister? It was I who appointed you as Finance Minister. Neither Hegde nor the late S.R. Bommai entrusted you with that responsibility.”

He continued, “What kind of scholar are you? Did you study finance at Oxford University? Are you a Supreme Court lawyer? You are not even a High Court lawyer. You have argued only one or two cases in Mysuru. I am alive, Sonia Gandhi is alive, do not fabricate stories. Tell us: what contribution have you made to JD (S)?”

Referring to Siddaramaiah’s previous roles, Gowda noted, “Hegde appointed you as Chairman of the Kannada Kavalu Samithi. Later, you handled Animal Husbandry or some other minor department. When Veerappa Moily was CM and the government lacked funds to pay salaries, Rs 200 crore was borrowed from Peerless Company. After that, you were made Finance Minister. You know very well the state’s finances were critical. I appointed you as Finance Minister to rectify the state’s fiscal condition. That was my mistake,” he stated.

The JDS chief Gowda added, “There were numerous instances when I shed tears after making him Deputy Chief Minister. I appointed him Finance Minister, not Hegde. He should remember that.”

He stated that Siddaramaiah contributed nothing to the party. “When I proposed making him State President of the party, the late Ramakrishna Hegde held my hand and said: ‘Make anyone you want, but not this man.’ But I ignored Hegde’s advice,” Gowda explained.

Addressing internal conflicts, Gowda commented, “They assert I rose politically due to Mallikarjun Kharge and Jalappa. I sanctioned a medical college for Kharge’s community and named it after Devaraj Urs. Today, it has become the private property of the Jalappa family instead of serving the community. This is their notion of social justice!”

He continued, “When they organized the AHINDA convention, I proposed it should be done on the party platform. They disregarded this and instead held it separately in Hubballi. Ultimately, I had no choice but to expel him from the party. I have no regrets. Many such individuals have come and gone. I am undeterred. I will restore this party. I will go wherever I am required. Deve Gowda is not someone who remains inactive,” he concluded.