JDS chief HD Deve Gowda rules out support to Yediyurappa-led BJP government

Former Prime Minister and JDS chief HD Deve Gowda on Saturday put an end to speculations that his party may extend outside support to the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka, saying they would play the role of a "constructive" opposition. Deve Gowda’s statement came a day after a section of JDS MLAs asked former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to extend outside support to the BJP government in Karnataka.

“Some have suggested that we should sit in opposition, while some legislators are of the opinion that we should support the BJP from outside,” senior JDS leader GT Devegowda had said after a meeting of party MLAs.

The BJP headed by Yediyurappa came to power on Friday after the collapse of the Congress-JDS coalition government with the defeat of the motion of confidence in the Assembly on Tuesday. "We are going to play a constructive role. As a regional party we will oppose where we have to oppose. That’s all. If you (Yediyurappa) do something good for the state, we will welcome it," Deve Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru.

The JDS patriarch said "There is no big deal in saying so (support to BJP). His (HT Devegowda’s) intention was that the finance bill was passed (before July 31) because it was a budget presented by Kumaraswamy."

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Gowda explained that GT Devegowda intended to say that the JD(S) would not oppose every move of BJP just for the heck of it. "The pain of losing power within 14 months instead of 60 months (five years) is evident among Congress and the JD(S) leaders. Hence, G T Devegowda expressed his views. What’s the big deal in it? Isn’t it his right to express views?" he said.

Welcoming Yeddyurappa’s statement that he would not practice the politics of vengeance and would take the opposition along, Gowda promised to play the role of a "constructive" opposition.

The 87-year-old JD(S) leader insisted that he was least bothered about the fall of the government headed by his son Kumaraswamy as he had dedicated workers to bank on. He said he would also strive to save the party.

(With inputs from PTI)