JD(S) to fight alone in Karnataka poll: Deve Gowda

Mangaluru: Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to contest in all the 224 seats in the Karnataka Assembly election to be held early this year, but may consider leaving a few seats to the left parties, Party Supremo H D Deve Gowda said.Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday he said any poll alliance with either Congress or the BJP did not arise and JD(S) would not have any alliance with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) either.

Asked whether his party post-election would support the Congress in case of a hung Assembly, he said, 'I have burnt my fingers by supporting the Congress during 2004 despite JD(S) winning 58 seats'.

Mr Gowda said that the party would make all efforts to win at least one seat in all districts to ensure that it has representation in the Assembly from all the districts. The candidates would be finalised by the end of February. The party would seek votes on the basis of its 'own principles and policies' and not by taking on the Congress and the BJP.He said that the party would hold a rally in Mangaluru in the second week of February.

To another question he said he was dissapointed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent over Mahadayi issue. He should intervene to solve the water issue between Goa and Karnataka outside the Tribunal as suggested by the latter itself. (UNI)