H.D. Deve Gowda Says Relationship with PM Modi Unaffected by Rajya Sabha Nomination Decision
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda stated that his bond with PM Modi is not dependent on his Rajya Sabha seat, which ends on June 25, 2026, and clarified he did not seek re-nomination. Gowda's statement came after Congress criticized the BJP for not renominating him, calling it an insult to the veteran leader. The 90-year-old politician emphasized that his six-decade political career and relationship with Modi transcend a single Rajya Sabha position.
H.D. Deve Gowda, whose Rajya Sabha term concludes on June 25, 2026, addressed questions about his non-renewal by stating his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains intact regardless of the nomination decision. The nonagenarian leader clarified that he had not requested re-nomination and did not raise the matter during a May 26 meeting with Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi for a book release event. Gowda noted that his bond with Modi developed since 2014, despite earlier criticism of Modi on the Godhra issue when Modi was Gujarat Chief Minister. He dismissed Congress's characterization of the decision as an insult, stating he was not interested in continuing the discussion and noting that his party's limited strength of 18 members in the Legislative Assembly made electoral prospects challenging.
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