Deve Gowda dismisses BJP-JD(S) rift rumours after Rajya Sabha snub

Dismissing speculation of a rift between the JD(S) and the BJKP after he was not given a Rajya Sabha seat for the upcoming biennial elections to the Upper House, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday (June 10) said that the NDA remained strong and said his association with the BJP leadership was based on long-standing personal ties rather than political expectations.

‘Personal bond with PM Modi’

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supremo said he had maintained a close personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nearly a decade and had consistently supported his leadership.

Recalling his advice to his son and Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy to work alongside PM Modi, Deve Gowda emphasised that his support was never motivated by the prospect of a parliamentary nomination.

He stated that his bond with the Prime Minister went beyond politics, adding that he had stood by PM Modi's leadership over the years and viewed him as a leader with significant influence both within India and internationally.

Also Read: Can BJP-JD(S) alliance survive Deve Gowda's Rajya Sabha snub?

"My relationship with Modi has been personal for the last 10 years. I have defended his leadership. I myself told Kumaraswamy, you should be with Modi. I do not have a relationship with him just for the Rajya Sabha seat; I have a personal relationship with him. I think there is no other leader who can compete with Modi. Our economic strength has increased. Not only in our country, but Modi's influence is also abroad," he said.

"There is no need to think that the NDA relationship will end because of a Rajya Sabha seat. This NDA bond will continue till my last breath," he added as quoted by ANI.

The former Prime Minister further praised PM Modi's governance, saying India's economic position had strengthened under his leadership and that the country's global standing had also improved. Few contemporary leaders could match PM Modi's political stature and influence, said Deve Gowda.

‘Alliance remains intact’

Dismissing suggestions that the NDA alliance could be affected by the Rajya Sabha nomination issue, the 93-year-old leader said the partnership between JD(S) and the BJP would continue and should not be judged through the lens of a single election.

Also Read: Why BJP snubbed Deve Gowda, picked new NDA face from Karnataka for RS polls

Deve Gowda, who has served as Prime Minister, Karnataka Chief Minister and Member of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during his illustrious political career, was considered a potential contender for the Rajya Sabha elections.

BJP nominates M Nagaraja

However, the BJP nominated M Nagaraja for one of the Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka, prompting speculation in political circles about possible differences between the alliance partners.

Also Read: Common worker rewarded, says Karnataka BJP on Deve Gowda's RS nomination snub

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala intensified the debate by alleging that JD(S) had repeatedly faced disrespect from the BJP leadership and continued to tolerate it for political reasons. He described the situation as surprising and indicative of the party's priorities.

"The constant humiliation heaped upon JD(S) by BJP and its leadership and its repeated acceptance by Sh HD Kumaraswamy merely for sticking to Ministerial chair at any cost is highly astonishing and eye-opening. Further, accepting this insult is an absolute extreme," said Surjewala.

Congress-JD(S) war of words

Responding to the Congress's remarks, Kumaraswamy accused the opposition party of displaying selective sympathy towards Deve Gowda. He argued that Congress leaders had little moral authority to comment on the matter, claiming that they had played a role in ending Deve Gowda's tenure as Prime Minister in the past.

The Congress has fielded Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party Media and Publicity Department chairman Pawan Khera, and AICC secretary P V Mohan as its candidates for the election.