Updated February 14th, 2019 at 11:36 IST
"Offered to quit from Lok Sabha after BJP won in 2014, but PM Modi asked to continue", says Deve Gowda
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said in Lok Sabha Wednesday that he had offered his resignation as a member to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP's win in 2014 as he had said that he would quit if Modi gets more than 276 seats in the elections.
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Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H D Deve Gowda, while addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, said that he had offered his resignation as a member to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP's win in 2014 general elections, as he had said that he would quit if Narendra Modi gets more than 276 seats in the elections.
He, however, changed his decision after PM Modi asked him to continue as he was one of the more senior members of the House, he added in his speech during the last sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha which saw leaders of different parties including the Prime Minister sharing their experiences and views.
The JD(S) leader also referred to the Congress' return to power in 2004 and said that then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was unable to become the prime minister, to which Gandhi, who was sitting near him, quickly replied that "I didn't want to". Deve Gowda then corrected himself, saying this was not her desire.
READ: "I'm Also An Accidental Prime Minister," Quips Deve Gowda Amidst Political Row Over Anupam Kher Starrer Of The Same Name
Referring to the 2014 polls, he said, "In the elections, there is some exchange of words. If you (Modi) get more than 276 seats, I am going to resign. This is what I said."
When the BJP ended up winning 282 seats, he went to see PM Modi to offer his resignation, Deve Gowda said.
"He (Modi) told me that don't take it seriously. You are one of the experienced politicians, you must not resign. I met him three-four times. I have no grouse against anybody," he said while Modi was sitting in the House.
Meanwhile, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav declared in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that he wants PM Narendra Modi back as the next Prime Minister. Addressing the last sitting of 16th Lok Sabha, Mulayam Singh also laid heaps of praises on PM Modi in the Parliament.
(With agency inputs)
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Published February 14th, 2019 at 11:13 IST