As PM, I met Geelani 6 times to solve Kashmir issue, reveals Deve Gowda

Mysuru, Jan 11: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said had met Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a separatist Hurriyat leader, six times in order to find a solution for the Jammu and Kashmir imbroglio.

Speaking during the farewell ceremony for University of Mysore Vice Chancellor K S Rangappa, at the Crawford Hall here on Tuesday he said he was giving out the secret for the first time. “As prime minister, I have the satisfaction of solving many complex problems facing the nation. I held several rounds of talks with the separatists to solve the Jammu and Kashmir problem. I still have the capacity to run the nation as prime minister. But, the people who were with me when I unexpectedly became prime minister, are not with me today,” he said.

Deve Gowda said that he had been struggling in politics since 50 years. “I have been fighting for the rights of Karnataka in the Cauvery river water sharing case. Those who were with me as moral support are not with me now, but, I am still struggling,” he said. Rangappa had to face many problems while developing the university. “He is hurt, but he has not expressed his pain,” he said.

Speaking about demonetisation of high-denomination currency notes, Deve Gowda said that people would give a fitting answer at the right time. “Even when Emergency was imposed, people tolerated it silently. But, they punished the perpetrators in the election,” he said.

Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission C M Ibrahim said he would decide on his future course of action in politics after Sankranti. Addressing Deve Gowda asParama Pujaya' (most holy), he praised the former prime minister throughout his speech, hinting that he would join the JD(S) shortly. It has to be mentioned that Ibrahim has been expressing his dissatisfaction against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government of late.

He invited Rangappa to enter politics. “As a chemist and a scientist Rangappa can invent cure for the diseases ailing the politics. Academics like Rangappa should enter Vidhana Soudha,” he said.

Deve Gowda reciprocated to the praises of Ibrahim and called him his friend. “Ibrahim is of late disappointed. I do not know why, but one cannot keep conceal the truth for a long time,” he said.