Published Jun 10, 2026 | 4:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 10, 2026 | 5:47 PM
Deve Gowda said he had neither sought another term in the Upper House nor made any effort to secure one.
Synopsis: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday said the BJP’s decision not to renominate him to the Rajya Sabha would not affect either the JD(S)’s alliance with the NDA or his personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he had neither sought another term nor lobbied for one. Gowda also reaffirmed his support for Modi, saying it was based on the Prime Minister’s leadership and governance record rather than any political position.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday, 10 June, said the BJP’s decision not to renominate him to the Rajya Sabha for the upcoming biennial elections would have no impact on either the JD(S)’s alliance with the NDA or his personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press conference, Gowda said he had neither sought another term in the Upper House nor made any effort to secure one. His current term expires on 25 June.
“Some of our friends and many people are very upset, saying an injustice has been done. I can only say that the media has been trying to project that I would have been considered, that I would have been chosen, along with five or six other names. But I have never asked for it,” he said.
“We are associated with the NDA. No one should think that this relationship ends because of a single Rajya Sabha seat. Our bond, our relationship, will continue as long as Deve Gowda is alive. Kumaraswamy is in the Cabinet and will continue there as one of the prominent ministers, and whatever little service he can render to the nation, he will do.”
The 93-year-old veteran politician said that, despite his age, he remained as active as ever and would continue to raise issues concerning Karnataka and the country.
“My memory is very alert. My working style is still the same. You know, I am a person who never sits idle. I will always do whatever best I can to serve the people of Karnataka and the State,” he said.
“Even in the future, on any matter concerning our State, I can meet Modi, I can correspond with him through letters. I will continue this close relationship until the final phase of my life. There will be no hesitation on my part to say anything pertaining to the State or to the Centre, even today.”
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Gowda said Prime Minister Modi had recently invited him to release a book authored by the Union Agriculture Minister, and said that had he been interested in another Rajya Sabha term, he could have used the occasion to lobby senior BJP leaders present at the event.
“Modi himself said that this book should be released by Deve Gowda, and he wrote me a letter saying so. He said that I should release it. I went to Delhi. I released that book. [Present were] Cabinet ministers, and some BJP chief ministers from various States. I did not speak to any of them. I returned straight to Bengaluru,” he said.
“If I had any obsession or desire to continue as a Rajya Sabha member, I would have been meeting our central leaders. Instead, immediately after that programme ended, I returned to Bengaluru.”
He also endorsed Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s earlier statement that the JD(S) would not seek a Rajya Sabha seat.
“Kumaraswamy had earlier given a statement: ‘We are only eighteen members; we will not seek a Rajya Sabha seat.’ I welcomed that,” he said.
“Why should we seek it when the Bharatiya Janata Party has 63 members and can comfortably secure one seat? Why should we, with eighteen members, show interest in securing a seat? I welcomed Kumaraswamy’s statement.”
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Gowda said his support for the Modi government was based on his assessment of the Prime Minister’s leadership and governance record.
“The first time I met him was after he became Prime Minister. From then on, my relationship with Modi did not grow over the last ten years because of a Rajya Sabha position. Whenever I have spoken about Modi or his administration, I have spoken fearlessly and expressed my views,” he said.
“When analysing how the Congress had conducted itself in the past and how those in power now have conducted themselves, I have given all the examples and supported Modi’s leadership. When Kumaraswamy’s government had fallen, I myself told Kumaraswamy, ‘You should go with Modi.’ I have already said this publicly before you all.”
Gowda said he would continue to endorse Modi’s leadership.
“On all occasions, I stood with Modi. I stood with the Prime Minister for the work he has done over the last ten years for the country’s development and all-round progress,” he said.
“Not only for the overall development of our country, he has spoken about achieving a five-trillion economy by 2047 and our economic growth. Today, Modi is recognised as a leader abroad. This is not only within our country; even in foreign countries, Modi holds a high standing. There is no one else who has grown to that level.”
