Gowda to quit party post after next polls

Barely a few days after his re-election as JD(S) president, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Thursday said he contemplated relinquishing the party post after next assembly elections in the state.

"Whenever the assembly elections are held in the state, after that I may quit the party president's post," Gowda told reporters but dismissed the possibility of early polls and asserted the coalition government with Congress would last its full term. "I know I am not a permanent president of the party," he said without elaborating on his plans.

Reacting sharply to KPCC president M Mallikarjun Kharge's statement asking JD(S) leaders to desist from criticising the UPA government "if they want to continue the coalition government", Gowda said "none can snatch away my freedom of expression."

"I will continue to air my views on various issues concerning the country in tune with policies of my party," Gowda declared. Earlier, in an attempt to woo leaders from Kuruba community after Siddaramaiah was axed from the deputy chief ministership following differences with him, assured their delegation that the interest of the community would be protected.