Never Aspired for Re-nomination to Rajya Sabha,” Says Former Prime Minister
“If was interested to continue as Rajya Sabha member then I would have met central leaders in New Delhi and sought their support for my re-election to Rajya Sabha,” the former Prime Minister said and stated “I have been in public life for 70 years.”
Bengaluru: Ruling out he aspired to get re-elect to Rajya Sabha, former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda on Wednesday made it clear his “personal bondage” and “relationship” developed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a decade will not end over a Rajya Sabha nomination.
The clarification from Devegowda came after Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala termed Bharatiya Janata Party selection of Prof M. Nagaraj for Rajya Sabha as a “humiliation” to former Prime Minister who is part of BJP led Central Government.
“The people of the State should not feel that my relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only over a Rajya Sabha seat,” Gowda said and stated “I’m 93 now and how long will I live?”
Explaining his stand, Gowda said “I was in New Delhi to release a book written by Union Minister of Agriculture on Shivraj Singh Chauhan Prime Minister Modi and Modi personnel wanted me to release the book. I released the book and headed back to Bengaluru.”
“If was interested to continue as Rajya Sabha member then I would have met central leaders in New Delhi and sought their support for my re-election to Rajya Sabha,” the former Prime Minister said and stated “I have been in public life for 70 years.”
Regarding his association with PM Modi, Gowda said “I stand my Modi,” and termed Modi as the “tallest” leader of the country and hailed both within and outside the country.
“The stature of Modi that none others could match,” Gowda said and reiterated that the people of the State and country should not be under false impression “relationship with Modi will end over a Rajya Sabha seat.” The former Prime Minister vowed that his relationship will be unaffected and “will continue to remain till my last breath.”
Devegowda stated his son and Union Minister of Large Scale Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy will continue in the Modi cabinet and render service to the nation. However, the former Prime Minister stated “I have expressed my feelings when the situation demanded without fear.” Recalling his criticism of Modi, Gowda said “I and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu criticised Modi in strong works over the Godhra massacre in Gujarat.”
“Even if not a Rajya Sabha member, my relationship with Narendra Modi will remain intact,” he assured and stated “in future, I will meet Modi personally or write letters to him in the interest of the State.”
