Bangalore: Saying his only failure in his career was image building through the media, former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda objected to being called anti-development in his address to a JD(S) youth rally on Wednesday.
Asserting he was responsible for most of the development seen in Karnataka and several projects in the country, he said, “Who created the infrastructure for IT/BT in Karnataka and paved the way for setting up of software and hardware parks?
Who mooted the international airport for Bangalore ? Who thought of the Metro for Delhi? I can name any number of developmental activities that I initiated, including highway projects in the country, which the BJP is now claiming credit for. Development is like planting a coconut tree. If the father plants the tree, the children can harvest the crop. Now most parties are claiming credit for the work I began and I have been dubbed anti-development.”
He could be called this only to the extent that he had refused to allot more land than necessary to any company, he claimed.
“Because I see farmers' land as gold, I had a difference of opinion with Ratan Tata while negotiating for the international airport. He wanted 4000 acres and I refused to allot him so much land. I could have taken a commission and given it to him , but I did not. People in power should realise the need for balanced development as agriculture provides jobs to over 68% of the population,'' Gowda added.
Referring to his attire finding mention in a book on Indian politics, Gowda said, “Yes, I am a dhotiwala, but the book ignored the work I have done. The issue is not about image building, but about nation building.''
While everyone had written the JD(S) off in national politics after its recent defeat in two by-elections, the coming elections would show how relevant it is, he declared.
Former chief minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy in his address charged the BJP and Congress with using the states as their fiefdoms.
“They spend money for image building through the media. While the BJP has spent over Rs 350 crore, the Congress has splurged over Rs 150 crore,'' he contended.
While Gowda had promised to end the party function by 3 pm before the start of peak hour traffic, Kumaraswamy's motorcycle rally did not reach the venue till 4 pm.
The JDS supremo had to stop midway as the crowd roared its welcome to the rallyists. Visibly irritated, he made his displeasure clear to his son saying, “Building a party does not mean just touring the state. It is a tough job.”
