New Delhi: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday said that he will not contest any election in the future.
Participating in the discussion on Motion of Thanks to President’s Address, 82-year-old Gowda in his speech recalled work during his tenure as PM and requested Narendra Modi to complete some of the pending projects he started.
“I have told the Prime Minister that I am not going to contest elections anymore. But at the same time, I have personally requested him to see that projects are completed,” Gowda said.
“In public life, I have seen ups and downs. I have contested 15 elections and I was defeated in two elections. I may have two Members from my party. I brought 16 Members to this House as Chief Minister of Karnataka,” Gowda added.
Recalling work done by him as PM, “some of the projects which have been sanctioned in 1996-97 have still not been completed. That was my request to the Prime Minister. His Mantra for Development should be implemented. I met him and told that I am not going to contest elections any more but to please see that some projects which I have cleared should be completed during his tenure of five years.”
As Chair asked him to winjd up his speech, exparated Gowda said, “I have only two Members. So, what can I do? It is the people who have sent me here. If I have not been allowed to speak, it is better that I should resign. I have not come here for getting Rs.2000 D.A (dearness allowance). I must be frank enough with you.”
Gowda listed clearing projects like Delhi metro, starting train service from Baramullah to Katra in Kashmir; Uri Power Project, Agriculture University for Jammu and Kashmir, during his tenure as PM in 1996.
Gowda founded the JD(S) and was elected to the Lok Sabha for the sixth term in 2014 from Hassan constituency.
Talking about the land bill, Yadav said "Take that (barren) land and build factories. I have no objection. But do not acquire fertile land...the President's speech had little reference of the farmer," the SP chief said.
He asked BJP leaders learn from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley about how to help people. He recalled how Jaitley as the then Law Minister had helped him with some issue. He said the Modi government has failed to deliver on its promises in nine months. "A child takes birth in nine months...," Yadav said.