Your men at top in CBI, RBI and even the EC: H D Deve Gowda mocks PM Modi

Hassan: Janata Dal (S) supremo and former prime minister, H D Deve Gowda was highly critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for appointing men from his own state of Gujarat as heads of the country's premier institutions like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Reserve Bank of India and the Election Commission.

"Mr Modi is making these appointment to control these institutions, " he charged, also claiming that BJP national president, Amit Shah appeared to have been inspired by his party's state chief, B S Yeddyurappa in planning an "Operation Lotus" of his own in Gujarat and offering a supporter of Mr Hardik Patel, spearheading the Patidar movement, money to join the BJP.

"The credit of poaching leaders in the state goes to Mr Yeddyurappa and he may have taught Mr Shah how to do this too," he added disparagingly.

Asked about party tickets for his daughter-in-law, Anita Kumaraswamy and grandson, Prajwal, he said he would not make a hasty decision and would consult party leaders in the matter.

The JD(S) leader claimed that former Minister and veteran leader, PGR Sindhia was all set to return to the party in a few days and also revealed that his state party president, H D Kumaraswamy would go on a state-wide tour from November 1.

Mr Gowda at first refused to comment on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visiting Dharmastala and entering the temple while eating fish, but later said, "He is a changed man now. Earlier he was an atheist but now he visits temples possibly to invoke divine blessing to remain in power for another term."