I’ll be by Rahul’s side if he becomes PM’

BENGALURU: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Friday once again extended support to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying if the latter became PM, he’d be by his side.


When asked about his son HD Kumaraswamy’s statement that there’s a possibility of the JD(S) supremo becoming PM as a consensus candidate, Gowda said: “I’m not bothered about this. My concern is PM Narendra Modi coming to the Parliament. I have the guts and conviction to say it to his face. It’s not necessary that I become the PM.’’ About his commitment to the Congress, he said: “Sonia Gandhi has decided to support Deve Gowda even though we’re a small party. Now, it’s my responsibility to move forward with the Congress, though I do agree in some states there is no question of any coalition. But, in Tamil Nadu, there is a coalition between Congress and DMK and with Sharad Pawar’s party in Maharashtra.”

At a rally in Raichur on Friday, Gowda said his family cannot be said to be always shedding tears. “I’ve cried on issues pertaining to the Cauvery or anything pertaining to the state,’’ he said. In Bagalkot, Kumaraswamy admitted he’s a “teary-eyed CM”. He said, “At least I have cried on issues pertaining to the state. What has Modi done? All his speeches are like Subbanna Katte bashanas (roadside speeches).’’ he added.