The two-day national executive of Janata Dal (Secular), which concluded here on Friday resolved to maintain equidistance from Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and extend “all-out support” for the planned Left-led Third Front.
Presidents of 18 State units across the country, besides heads of district and taluk units of Karnataka attended the session. The session ratified election of Krishnappa as state president, replacing H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Party’s general secretary Danish Ali has been authorised to participate in the convention organised by Left parties on October 30 at Talkota Stadium of New Delhi to cobble up a Third Front opposed to both the Congress and BJP.
Party’s national president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said that the JD (S) was totally committed to the secular, democratic and socialist values and would play a major role in reuniting all those parties and organisations cherish those values in the country to put up a joint and committed fight against both NDA and UPA.
In the same breath he clarified that he was not contender for any top post, in case of the Third Front opposing both the Congress and the BJP coming to power at the Centre. He also called upon the Left, socialist, democratic and secular parties to take recourse to values propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan and provide a strong alternative platform to the people in the coming election to the Lok Sabha.
Referring to the JD (S) forming government with the BJP in Karnataka in 2006, Mr. Gowda said that the JD (S) had no hesitation to declare in this context that “past is past.” There was no question of having either direct or indirect connection with communal, undemocratic and corrupt parties including the BJP or the Congress in future. “The JD (S) is totally committed to the secular, democratic and socialist values and would take lead role in reuniting the entire socialist, democratic and secular forces in the country”, Mr. Gowda added.
Disclosing that, he was in touch with all leaders of many regional and national parties, including, Prakash Karat, A.B. Bardhan, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sharad Yadav, Lalu Prasad, Chandra Babu Naidu, Mr. Gowda said that he would appeal them to become part of the Third Front.
When asked, whether he would camp in New Delhi to play a role in formation of Third Front, Mr. Gowda said that, he would focus on strengthening Karnataka and Kerala units, where party had its base. “JD (S) will contest in all the 28 constituencies in the State and a decision on fielding candidates in Kerala will be taken after discussing with Left parties”, he clarified.
Blaming both the Congress and the BJP for the problems plaguing the country, Mr. Gowda said that lopsided anti-people policies of both the parties had brought the country to the brink of disaster. Throughout their tenures, the BJP and the Congress had compromised with country’s “sovereignty”, and the economy was in the doldrums.
