Rejecting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s claims of a ‘Modi wave’, Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda reiterated here on Monday that his party would welcome the prospect of any regional party leader becoming the Prime Minister.
As in the earlier instances, his choice included All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi.
Calling for the rejection of the Congress and the BJP, he said leaders of non-Congress, non-BJP parties such as Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) were ideal candidates for the post.
Campaigning for party candidate from Krishnagiri N.S.M. Gowda here on Monday, he said it would be unwise to have Mr. Modi as Prime Minister because he supported the corporate sector and the Gujarat riots of 2002 led to countries not granting permission for his visits.