Mangaluru: In a significant political development, former Prime Minister and leader of the Janata Dal Secular (JDS), HD Deve Gowda, has announced that his party will collaborate with the BJP for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections in Kukke Subramanya, located in the Dakshina Kannada district.
Speaking to the press after performing a series of rituals at the Lord Subramanya temple on Tuesday, Deve Gowda confirmed that preliminary discussions have already taken place between the JDS and BJP regarding this alliance. The finer details of seat allocation are currently being worked out, and these discussions will soon involve key figures such as Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda. Deve Gowda expressed his hope that, health permitting, he will personally lead his party’s delegation to Delhi to finalise the seat-sharing agreement and other pertinent details.
Deve Gowda emphasised that the Congress is keen on securing 28 seats, which has prompted the JDS and BJP to forge this alliance for the upcoming elections. Reflecting on the recent state assembly elections, Gowda noted that the BJP secured approximately 30-33 percent of the vote share, while the Congress received 40 percent and the JDS obtained 20-22 percent.
Deve Gowda’s journey to the temple was not without its challenges. He arrived at the temple at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday after a road trip from Mangaluru Airport, as unfavourable weather conditions prevented his helicopter from passing through the airspace of Shiradi Ghat. Following the temple visit, he returned to Bengaluru, took the 9 p.m. flight with Indigo to Mangaluru, had a brief rest at the Circuit House, and then proceeded to Subramanya at 11 p.m. Despite his advanced age and health issues, Deve Gowda’s determination to fulfil his vow of Tulabhara to the Lord and visit the temple in inclement weather is truly commendable and inspiring.
M.B. Sadashiva, a close associate and JDS leader in the coastal region, shared that he had heartfelt conversations with Deve Gowda during their car journey, during which Deve Gowda also chanted Subramanya Shlokas. He emphasised that practicing secularism should not be misunderstood as atheism.