Gowda Not To Mediate Between Janata Dal Factions

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda refused to accept an invitation extended to him by his successor I K Gujral to strive for resolving the crisis that stalks Janata Dal.

I do not want to be a party to any such issue, Gowda snapped when asked what are his plans to resolve the crisis in the party. When asked whether he would accept the invitation of the Prime Minister to resolve the crisis, Gowda said I am not going to interfere in my party affairs.

He refused to respond to any further queries pertaining to the party affairs during his brief chat with reporters on his arrival after quitting the office as PM.

 

The Prime Minister I K Gujral had appealed to Gowda and other three Karnataka leaders to try and resolve the crisis in the party to save the governments. While the other three S R Bommai, R L Jalappa both Union ministers and the Chief Minister J H Patel have started earnestly working out a compromise formula and the stance of Gowda would definitely throw spanner in the works for a compromise formula.

Deve Gowda told small gathering at the airport that he might have lost prime ministership but would continue to work in the midst of people.

He said if anyone thinks that I am politically finished, they are leaving in fools paradise.

He even took a dig at AICC president Kesri saying the longivity of Gujral regime is to be decided by Kesri.

When asked how long he thinks Gujral government would last he said Ask Kesri. why me. But he hastened to add that the Congress president has said that his party would support the government fully.

Deve Gowda who is backing party working president Sharad Yadav in the race for the top party post would try and prevail on his colleagues from the state to back his candidate. He would be attending a dinner hosted by Chief Minister Patel where he would spend three hours with national council members, Parliament members and legislators. According to a source in Gowda camp, gettiing maximum support to Sharad is the sole aim of Gowdas visit and elaborate arrangements are being made to facilitate the same.

Amidst raging controversy, the University of Agriculture Sciences yesterday decorated Gowda, first non-scientist non research fellow, with the honorary doctorate.

At a convocation where countries top-notch nuclear physicist Raja Ramanna delivered convocation address Gowda was accorded doctor of science degree by the University in recognition of his services to agriculture and Irrigation sectors to improve the lot of farming community.