Karnataka polls: Let Congress come with ‘workable proposal’, says Deve Gowda on alliance

Amid speculation over who is forming an alliance with whom in the in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections, JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda has told the Congress to come with ‘workable proposal’.

Concerned over the possible split in minority votes, progressive thinkers had urged H D Deve Gowda to have an understanding with Congress. To which, he responded, “Let Congress come with a ‘workable proposal’ and I will look into it.”

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda’s see-saw on the possibility of JD(S) having an understanding with the Congress raised many eyebrows on Tuesday. However, his son and former CM Kumaraswamy clarified that they are not ready to join hands with Congress.

Speaking at Mangaluru on January 22, Deve Gowda had said "I've burnt my fingers having supported the Congress. We'll go before the people with our policies and programmes and leave the final verdict to the electorate. I won't get into guessing our numbers. But my aim is to ensure that the party has at least one MLA from each district".

Even on Monday, Gowda had blasted Congress president Rahul Gandhi for questioning secular credentials of his party. While Deve Gowda is in favour of forming a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, Kumaraswamy is keen on the BJP.

Kumaraswamy hopes to win 128 seats in the state. In the midst of all the confusion, seven the JD(S) rebellious legislators have joined hands with the Congress.

JD(S) has already made a pre-poll alliance with the BSP. But the Congress is yet to respond to Deve Gowda's overture.