I Am Not Going To Be A Stumbling Block:Gowda

Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has said that he will not be a stumbling block for the United Front in choosing a new leader in his place.

In an interview to Deccan Herald, Gowda said the moment the new leader is elected, my leadership ceases. I am not going to be stumbling block for the UF to choose a new leader.

The Congress party had also stated that the United Front should elect a new leader and then it would support the Front, he said and remarked that was the condition.

Declining comments on whether it was proper for the UF to go for leadership change or who should succeed him, Gowda said that the UF steering committee would take care of that. I dont want to involve myself in it. The committee may work out modalities of choosing a new leader.

When pointed out that he had, in his speech in the Lok Sabha while replying to the confidence motion debate on April 11, said that the UF would go to the polls to teach the Congress a lesson whereas the UF constitutents did not favour fresh polls and wanted a Congress-backed coalition, the Prime Minister said it is for the steering committee to decide. I will abide by the decision as a member of the committee.

Gowda said developmental programmes had received a setback with the toppling of his ten-month old government and foreign investors would view India with suspicion now.

The whole process has to be reinvigorated. We started from scratch and it took time to remove suspicion in the minds of investors about the pace of reforms and political stability. We had come to a stage where everything had fallen in place. Suddenly this jolt (withdrawal of support) came, he said.

Replying to a question, the outgoing Prime Minister said he was satisfied with the performance of his government and there is no regret or repentence.

On the subsequent developments after the fall of his government on April 11, particularly the acrimony for leadership change, United Fronts decision to fall back on Congress support and his likely successor, Gowda said I feel there is a setback. I dont bother about losing power. In fact, I am happy that the burden is gone. I can pay attention to my health.