JDS leader Deve Gowda clarified on alliance with BJP

New Delhi, May 02: Janatha Dal(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda today clarified that, there was no possibility of his party tying up with the BJP ahead of the high stakes Karnataka assembly election.

The clarification came in the wake of PM Narendra Modi's remarks at a pre-poll rally yesterday, during which he showered praise on Deve Gowda and slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for speaking disparagingly of the JD(S) being the "B team of BJP."

Distancing himself from the PM's statement, Deve Gowda told media: "A Kannadiga had become the PM. How Siddaramaiah tried to demolish the Kannadigas pride, taking that as a background, he (PM Modi) said this is how Congress gives respect to Kannadigas, this does not mean a 'gathbandhan' (alliance)".

This unprecedented eulogizing of Deve Gowda by the Prime Minister had sparked speculation that the BJP has kept a door open for rapprochement with JD(S).

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah was quick to react to Modi’s praise for Deve Gowda saying this only proved the tacit alliance between BJP and JD(S).