Will remain active in politics till my last breath: JD(S) patriarch & ex-PM Deve Gowda
Mandya (PTI): Targeting the ruling Congress in Karnataka, JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday said he will not rest until the government is removed, and reiterated that he would remain active in politics till his last breath.
The veteran leader praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership, as he hit out at INDI Alliance leaders, and attacked Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress chief
"It is in Deve Gowda's instinct, I have said about a thousand times now, until there is last breath in this life, I will fight in politics. I have never said that I will retire from politics," he said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said he is not just campaigning and "taking part in the political fight" as his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy is in poll from Channapatna. "I will fight (campaign) in the next election too for party candidates...." he said.
Channapatna assembly segment is going for by-polls on November 13.
Gowda accused Shivakumar of trying to defeat his son and union minister H D Kumaraswamy in Mandya in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year using money power. "DK (Shivakumar) don't try to compare yourself, don't try to estimate yourself."
Pointing at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam, he said, the Valmiki community's money was taken and used for Telangana Assembly election by the Congress government in Karnataka.
"Until this government is removed (I'll fight)...my age is 92. It is not that I will sleep at home after my grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy wins. No. I have not seen such a government in 62 years of my political life...we need to save this state. I will try for it beyond my limits," he said.
Reacting to Gowda's comments, Shivakumar told reporters in Ramanagara: "Kumaraswamy is a former CM, former PM's son, while I am a poor farmer's son and there cannot be a comparison between me and Kumaraswamy."
"He (Kumaraswamy) is Himalaya, while I'm an honest soldier of the people," he said.
On Gowda's comments on removing the government, Shivakumar said, "....it is not a groundnut plant to be removed easily....this is 136 MLAs strong government democratically elected by the people."
Deve Gowda said JD(S), a regional party, joined the NDA because there is not a single leader in INDI Alliance, who is "equivalent" to PM Modi. "Let any INDI Alliance leader say he can face Modi...."
Speaking about Donald Trump winning US Presidential polls, Gowda said Modi and Trump share a good relationship and it will be beneficial for the country, in its economic progress, and to face "adversaries like China and others."
Gowda, pointing at a section of the media projecting the Channapatna by-polls as a fight between 'DK" (Shivakumar) versus 'HDK' (H D Kumaraswamy), said there cannot be any comparison between them.
"Where is HDK? Kumaraswamy made Ramanagara a district, he (Shivakumar) is trying to integrate it with Bengaluru claiming that it will benefit people....Comparing him (DK) with Kumaraswamy - HDK, I'm not saying it because he (Kumaraswamy) is my son -- you can't (compare)," he said.
Prime Minister Modi has given Kumaraswamy the responsibility of two major departments at the Centre, despite JD(S) winning just two seats. "Kumaraswamy has developed a personality to gain such a responsibility."
Reacting to a question on Shivakumar and other Congress leaders allegedly criticising his grandson and son for getting emotional and shedding tears during poll campaigning, Gowda asked, "has anyone one seen DK shedding tears?"
"Having started working with Kotwal Ramachandra (gangster) for a hundred rupees, he (Shivakumar) is the state president of the Congress party that was led by Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi -- has he ever shed tears? show me," he said.
Accepting that he, his son and grandson shed tears, Gowda further said, "when farmers are suffering our heart pains...our family sheds tears, it has come from me, my father, we have suffered poverty, we have concern and pain for the poor...."
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
