Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda on Friday exuded confidence that no party could be in a position to form the government at the Centre without his party’s support. Coalition has become the order of the day and the JD(S) is committed to protect the interests of Karnataka, he said, while releasing the poll manifesto of the party here.
Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Gowda said he was not worried over the outcome of poll surveys conducted by various media houses and said neither the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nor the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would be in a position to form the next government.
Hence the third front, comprising regional parties, would be relevant.
Mr. Gowda said the party has brought out the manifesto fully aware that all the promises cannot be implemented independently. Still, it would strive hard to realise the promises and protect the interests of the State.
He reminded the people that it was he who introduced the public distribution system in Karnataka when he was the Chief Minister and later across the country as the Prime Minister. Now, the scheme has become so popular, every political party wants to take credit for it, he said.
The 20-page manifesto — Namma Sankalpa — promises eradication of corruption, bringing out comprehensive policies for agriculture, irrigation, industry, commerce, sports, inter-State river water distribution and policy for rural India; employment generation for the youth through labour-intensive industries and providing unemployment allowance, job security to autorickshaw and taxi drivers, empowerment of women, and introducing electoral reforms.
