‘We hope Deve Gowda becomes Prime Minister’

JD(S) leaders are hoping that their national president H.D. Deve Gowda gets one more chance to become Prime Minister.

“We forced him to contest this time too, as he has a chance to occupy the prime position,” said party leaders, including Patel Shivaram, MLC, and former legislator B.V. Karigowda, at a press conference here on Monday.

Sharief’s appeal

Stating that Mr. Gowda was the only former Prime Minister in the fray, leaders said considering the present political situation, he might get one more chance to lead the country. “Even Jaffer Sharief, a senior Congress leader, has spoken out in favour of Mr. Gowda’s presence in Parliament. We are thankful for his good words about our leader, though we are the least bothered about the Congress’ decision on fielding a candidate in Hassan,” Mr. Shivaram said.

Mr. Sharief had recently written to the Congress high command with an appeal not to field candidate in Hassan against the JD(S) national president.

Workers’ meetings

Javagal Rajashekhar, JD(S) district president, said that the party would be organising workers’ meetings in all Assembly constituencies to strengthen the party. He was confident that Mr. Gowda would win.