Central policies alone cannot be blamed for the slump in the IT sector in the State, said the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda on Monday.
He was reacting to Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s statement made during an election rally in Bangalore on Sunday.
“He (Mr. Modi) is entitled to his views. But there are lot of factors that has led to the downslide, including the slowdown of global market,” Mr. Deve Gowda told presspersons at the Mangalore International Airport.
Mr. Modi’s speech in Bangalore, Mr. Deve Gowda said, was about appeasing the youth by raising issues such as slowdown in the information technology sector and unemployment.
“He can talk. But is there a solution,” asked Mr. Deve Gowda and said that people were wise enough to evaluate his credentials.
Mr. Deve Gowda said that the turnout of people for the Bangalore rally was far less than what has been claimed by the State BJP unit.
On the formation of a third front, Mr. Deve Gowda said that regional parties were talking of forming a third front that provides the people an alternative to the Congress and the BJP.
“This is still being discussed. Parties have to come together. We (JD-S) have not initiated any discussion on this,” he said.
On the reports of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa joining the third front, Mr. Deve Gowda said, “Let him first resolve confusion within himself. In the last few days there was news about him coming back to the BJP.”
Mr. Deve Gowda said that it was too early to announce party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections as national parties have not finalised their candidates yet.
On the proposed Bill to ban superstitious practices in the State, Mr. Deve Gowda said, “We cannot have any discussion with non-believers. We can discuss this only with believers.”
