JD-S could be king, why kingmaker in K'taka polls: Deve Gowda

Says in poltics nobody should be pessimistic; cites the examples of BSP, SP which had emerged on their own in UP

JD-S supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Monday did not rule out the possibility of his party emerging as a "king" in the May 5 Assembly elections in Karnataka, witnessing a multi-cornered contest also involving BJP, Congress and KJP.

Gowda, whose party had run coalitions with Congress and BJP in the state, said that in poltics "nobody should be pessimistic" and cited the examples of BSP and SP which had emerged on their own in Uttar Pradesh. When asked if his party would be a king or kingmaker, Gowda replied, "Why not king?. I am not saying this with exaggeration."

Gowda was replying to to a query at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Bangalore Reporters Guild and Press Club of Bangalore. JD-S, headed by Gowda's son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, is contesting 223 of the 224 Assembly seats. It derives strength mainly from the Vokkaliga community, but is seeking to widen its base by wooing many a candidate from rival parties.

At the same time, he said, he would not find fault if the Congress hoped to return to power after nearly eight years or the ruling BJP expected to remain in the saddle.

"How people will vote, nobody can make a guess." He parried a query as to which party JD-S would support in case of a hung verdict, saying at the state level, regional parties had opportunities to come to power on their own.

On assertions by the BJP and Congress that no coalition government could be formed at the Centre without support of either of them, he said both the national parties were scouting for allies which "is a reality."

Asked if the third front would try to win over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or "allow him to go to the Congress" as he was pitching for a "secular prime minister" in relation to his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, Gowda said he did not like to discuss individuals. On whether he would contest the next Lok Sabha polls, he quipped, "I have never said I will retire from politics. Wait and see." He added his contesting would depend on his health.