BJP or Congress, doors are open: GTD

‘KR MLA Sa. Ra. Mahesh spoilt my relationship with the Devegowda clan

If there was one constituency which hogged the limelight during the 2018 Assembly polls in Karnataka, it was Chamundeshwari in Mysuru with then chief minister Siddaramaiah battling it out with sitting Janata Dal (Secular) MLA and former minister, G.T. Deve Gowda, a noted Vokkaliga leader and making the poll a matter of prestige. Gowda trounced Siddaramaiah by a margin of over 35,000 votes much to the dismay of his supporters and acquired the epitaph of a giant killer while Siddaramaiah was relegated to the sidelines with his bete noire H.D. Kumaraswamy taking over as CM of a coalition government. Much water has flowed down the Cauvery since then. In a bid to ensure a smooth takeoff for his son in politics, Deve Gowda has struck a truce with this one-time rival Siddaramaiah. He spoke to News Trail’s Shyam Sundar Vattam on his future plans.

Is it true that you are knocking at the doors of the Congress?

As of today, I am still a JD(S) MLA. I have not considered (joining the Congress) as 17 months are still left for the next Assembly polls. I have two options- join the Congress or the BJP. A final decision will be taken by the end of 2021.

But you have already started moving with your arch rival - Siddaramaiah - and sharing the dais with him. What does it mean?

Is it wrong to share the dais with him at a function held in my constituency? Siddaramaiah was invited as one of the guests for the same function and I sat with him. Is it a big mistake?

Your body language shows that you already have one foot outside the JD(S)?

What should I do when I was not invited to any JD(S) function or meeting in the last two years. I am treated as an outsider. In these circumstances, I am virtually forced to maintain a distance from the JD(S). If you go on neglecting somebody, what will he or she do? I felt insulted after being neglected by my own party leaders.

Your move has created confusion. You praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and then share the dais with Siddaramaiah. How do people read this?

Yes, I have praised Modi for all the good work done by the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre but at the same time I have slammed the saffron party for its flaws. Likewise, I have openly praised Siddaramaiah as a politician and then you (media) cook up a story saying that I have already decided to join the Congress. To be frank, I have not decided on the party I want to join before the 2023 Assembly elections.

What are the reasons for your decision to quit the JD(S)? Is it because of former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy or someone else?

If at all I am leaving the JD(S), it is only because of KR MLA Sa. Ra. Mahesh who spoilt my healthy relationship with Kumaraswamy and JDS supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. Mahesh created a gap between me and the Deve Gowda family just to become close to the family. He (Mahesh) concocted stories about me and unfortunately, Kumaraswamy believed them, not caring to think about how long I had been associated with the Janata Parivar. It’s ok. It’s not a big loss for me as voters are the ultimate masters in a democracy.

You had freedom of speech in JD(S), will you enjoy this in the Congress which is controlled by the high command?

I don’t care about it. I will call a spade a spade no matter what action the party takes against me. It is too early to think about it as I am technically still a JD(S) legislator and have not joined either the Congress or BJP. I was in the Congress from 1983 for many years and worked with stalwarts like M. Rajashekarmurthy. It will be my second stint in the Congress if at all I am joining the grand old party.

Have the Congress leaders promised tickets for you and your son, G.D. Harish Gowda?

I and my son, contesting the 2023 Assembly election is certain but we have not decided on the party. If I contest from Chamundeshwari, my son will contest from an adjoining constituency. Since I have not joined the Congress, how can I say that they have promised tickets for me and my son?

Recently, Congress leaders of Chamundeshwari had opposed you joining the party and contesting on the party ticket. Is it true? Does it not affect your election prospects?

According to my knowledge, no one has opposed me joining the Congress. It has been welcomed by everyone. I am optimistic that voters of my constituency will stand by me as they have been doing all these years.

Are you joining the Congress only to further the prospects of your son in state politics?

It’s not so. I am interested in the development of my constitu