New Delhi, March 23 Only God can save Karnataka the way it is being governed by the Congress government, former Prime Minister HD Devegowda said on Monday, as he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do something for the revival of industry in the state.
Participating in the discussion on the Appropriation Bill (No 2) in the Rajya Sabha, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader said he was "not a power-hungry politician" and had rejected demands by some that his party be merged.
He also urged members of various parties not to attack the prime minister over the LPG shortage, saying it was only Prime Minister Narendra Modi who could tell the world how the West Asia crisis should end.
"I request my friends not to try to attack this government because of this gas issue. The Prime Minister has advised everyone on how states and the Indian government should behave. He is a very mature leader," Devegowda said.
"There is only one man, one leader in the country who can tell the nation, tell the world how things and the situation can be brought down...in the Gulf," he added.
Urging the prime minister to take steps to help revive the industry in Karnataka, he said, "Do something for Karnataka. Don't worry about this Karnataka government."
"My son, as chief minister, made industrial clusters in seven districts of Karnataka. I gave Rs 650 crore as the prime minister for steel factories to survive...after demitting office, only one small unit is there."
"I appeal to the leader of the house, I appeal to our Parliamentary Affairs minister and the Prime Minister, do something for Karnataka. Don't bother about the way in which Karnataka is going and how things are going so badly, which I do not want to mention," he said.
The former prime minister referred to the state of affairs in his home state, Karnataka.
"How things are going on in Karnataka, God only will save Karnataka. Save the country through the leadership of our great leader Narendra Modi sahib," Devegowda said.
"I am grateful to all sections...including the TMC leader for whom I have the highest regard. She came when Kumaraswamy took the oath, along with many tall leaders like Sonia Gandhi. That government was gone in 14 months, and who is responsible...ask Jairam Ramesh," he said, while pointing at the Congress.
The former prime minister also reacted to a statement made by the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, while bidding farewell to retiring members recently.
Kharge, who is also AICC President, had recalled his association with Gowda, who he said served as the Prime Minister and held several important positions.
"I have known Devegowda for a long time - 54 years - and have worked with him. But I do not know what happened. He fell in love with us, but married Modi sahab," Kharge said in the Rajya Sabha, visuals of which were aired in local media. The analogy made the prime minister, who was present in the Rajya Sabha, laugh.
Referring to Kharge's remarks, Devegowda said, "I don't want to hurt the feelings of any party who is responsible for the removal of our government...I am not going to hurt your Leader of Opposition, Kharge sahib. We have worked together. I came to Parliament in 1962, he came in 1962 after the split."
Devegowda said he advised his son, HD Kumaraswamy, currently the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, to support Modi and the BJP.
"I advised him to go with Bharatiya Janata Party, go with Modi sahib. Today, I am happy my son, who lost his chief ministership, is a minister in Modi ji's government," he said.
