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JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda has vowed to break my pride. But mine is neither pride nor arrogance. This is the innate self-esteem of Kannadigas that rises strong and determined in safeguarding Kannada, its people, and Karnataka. I humbly draw Mr Devegowda’s attention to this fact.

Respected Shri Deve Gowda avare, I cannot compromise with anyone for personal or political gain. If such a situation arises, I would rather retire from politics than compromise with those opposed to Karnataka’s interests.

Despite my political differences with Mr Deve Gowda, I respected his stance on protecting our land, water, and language. However, in the last 10 years, the BJP Government under Narendra Modi has consistently acted against Karnataka’s interests, opposing our state flag, imposing Hindi, and being unfair in the Cauvery, Krishna, and Mahadayi water disputes, and deceiving Kannadiga youth in central institutions.. Despite these betrayals to Karnataka, when you claimed that Modi and Shah have the solutions to all of India’s problems, didn’t it prick your conscience?

There is no excuse for the injustices done by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the distribution of taxes, returning only thirteen paise for every rupee contributed by Kannadigas to the central treasury. Regional parties in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal are vocally criticising the Union Government’s injustices. However, the regional party JD(S) in Karnataka has betrayed Kannadigas by compromising with the opponents of our land, water, and language.

Respected Deve Gowda avare, having spent 70 years in politics and earned the love and respect of Kannadigas, did you not feel a sting to your self-respect when you declared, "We will contest elections in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi"? Did it not seem to you like a betrayal to all Kannadigas, to submit to a leader who is opposed to Kannada and Karnataka? Has the political leader within you become so weakened and helpless?

Mr Deve Gowda, who has always championed regional causes and questioned the dominance of the Centre throughout his political career, seems to have compromised politically in his later years. Whoever may have influenced this change, the fact remains that Mr Deve Gowda, by aligning with the BJP for mere political gain, has let down over six and a half crore Kannadigas. This act of betrayal will inevitably lead to significant consequences for Mr Deve Gowda and his party.