Bengaluru, 18 May

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, who celebrated his 94th birthday on Monday, said he wants to fight for the cause of the people, as much time as possible, moving around on his wheelchair.

The JD(S) patriarch also expressed confidence that his party will not have any alliance issues with the BJP ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls, as he shares a good relationship with PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"I have a firm resolve to fight for the people's cause for as many more days as possible. I will not sit at home saying that I have completed 93 years. I will move around in the wheelchair," Gowda said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I have been fighting throughout my 68-year political life. I'm not worried about how much people recognise it, but fighting for the cause of the people is something that is before me; I will do my job."

Gowda said he received a message from PM Modi on his birthday from Sweden, while Home Minister Shah and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa greeted him over the phone. Similarly, several political leaders, including BJP national President Nitin Nabin, greeted him on the occasion.

Asked about the 2028 Karnataka Assembly polls, he said, JD(S) as a regional party is a minor partner in the NDA.

"Since I have a good relationship with Modi and Shah, I have strong confidence that there won't be issues (in the alliance), and any issues that arise will be resolved mutually. I'm not worried," he added.

Pointing out that Congress now has its own governments in Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana in South India, Gowda said, "Let's see what happens in the future, I don't want to speak about it now."

The JD(S) supremo called on his party leaders and workers to work towards strengthening the party with honesty like disciplined soldiers, and fulfil the responsibilities given to them.