The former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has said that the poor showing of the Congress in the recent polls in four States can be attributed to corruption, rise in price of essential commodities and poor economic policies. The party may face a similar fate in the coming Lok Sabha elections unless it takes corrective steps, he said.
Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, he said the Assembly election results reflect the people’s disenchantment with the Congress. The routing that the party faced in all four States indicates that people would not tolerate corruption and bad governance anymore. “The Congress has paid a price for the growing corruption, price rise and anti-people — especially anti-farmer — policies.”
Though the Congress offered free power, a rice scheme and waiver of loans of farmers, “the doles” failed to work in its favour, as voters understood its opportunistic politics, he said.
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When asked, if anti-incumbency was a factor for the outcome of the Assembly polls, Mr. Deve Gowda said it was not true if the re-election of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is taken into account.
He said people were frustrated with the policies and governance of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and the outcome was a clear indication of their pent up anger.
Appreciating the performance of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in the Delhi polls, he said though vested interests tried to halt the party’s acceleration, it succeeded in securing 28 seats.
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However, refusing to comment on whether his party, the Janata Dal (Secular), would have an understanding with the AAP in the LS polls, he said: “Time has not come to speak about aligning with the AAP.”
On the delay in formation of an ‘alternative’ political front for the electorates in the LS elections, Mr. Deve Gowda said: “Wait for a few more days.”