HVK Archives: BJP prefers Gowda, but only at a cost
BJP prefers Gowda, but only at a cost - The Economic Times
Political Bureau
()
31 March 1997
Title : BJP prefers Gowda, but only at a cost
Author : Political Bureau
Publication : The Economic Times
Date : March 31, 1997
Although elated over the crisis gripping the Deve Gowda government,
the BJP has decided to play a poker game and resist from revealing
its hand.
The party leadership, reconciled that it will not get a second shot
at forming the next government, is working on a plan to convert the
situation to its advantage.
The leadership, which sees the party as the one best suited to face
early polls, will not mind giving a temporary reprieve to Mr Gowda
when the trust motion comes up for voting on the floor of
Parliament.
However, party leaders here have made it clear that their support
for Deve Gowda will not come free. The party is expected to seek a
formal request from 'Gowda requesting its support.
Incidentally, Mr Gowda made the first move barely 30 minutes before
Sitaram Kesri called on the President. The prime minister, who
spoke to BJP chief LK Advani over the phone, is learnt to have
conveyed his resolve td face Parliament on settling the issue. Mr
Gowda also talked to Opposition leader Atal Behari Vajpayee.
The decision of the party not to close the option of siding with a
deserted Gowda stems from two reasons. It will demolish the
perceived raison d'etre of the United Front commitment to
'secularism', and end the phase of political untouchability and
anti-BJPism.
A 'vengeful' Gowda's continuance is sure to spell trouble for UF
leaders and Congress(I), who have been facing legal battles. The
situation will help also BJP by giving it the scope to decide on
the timing of the next elections.
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