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who is deve gowda ?

**Title: Who is H.D. Deve Gowda? The Enduring Political Force in Karnataka’s Political Arena**

Political landscapes are shaped by figures who not only leave their mark but remain an influential presence even after decades. H.D. Deve Gowda, the octogenarian leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)], is one such titan. Born on May 18, 1933, in the village of Haradanahalli, Hassan, Karnataka, Deve Gowda has navigated a career spanning over six decades, from humble beginnings as a paddy farmer’s son to becoming India’s 12th Prime Minister. His story is a tapestry of resilience, coalition politics, and a relentless drive to remain relevant.

### Early Life and Entry into Politics: Roots in Rural Karnataka
Deve Gowda’s journey began in a Vokkaliga family—part of Karnataka’s agrarian community classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC), a social identity that would later play a role in his populist appeal. The son of a paddy farmer, his early political forays aligned with the Indian National Congress, joining as a member in 1953. However, disillusionment led him to leave by 1962, marking the start of his independent political career. By the 1970s, he became a key figure in Karnataka’s political scene, serving multiple terms in the state legislature and holding ministerial portfolios like Irrigation and Public Works.

### Rise to National Prominence: The 1996 Prime Ministership
Deve Gowda’s biggest leap came when the United Front (UF), a coalition of leftist and regional parties, chose him as Prime Minister in 1996. A compromise candidate after elections failed to yield a majority, his short tenure (13 months) was marked by economic reforms and efforts to decentralize governance, though often overshadowed by coalition infighting. His leadership tested unity among fractious allies, culminating in his resignation after the AIADMK withdrew support.

### The JD(S) Guardian: Clutching Karnataka’s Political Helm
Despite departing national politics, Deve Gowda cemented his influence in Karnataka. As JD(S) president, he became the kingmaker in state politics, orchestrating alliances and rivalries with Congress and the BJP. His ability to bridge diverse regional parties made him indispensable, even as his party faced internal squabbles. Notably, his acrimonious relationship with former ally B.S. Yeddyurappa, now a BJP ally, is a testament to his ruthless factional strategies.

### The 2024 Election Gambit: Can He Seal a BJP-Free South?
In 2024, at 86, Deve Gowda remains central to Karnataka’s political drama. A staunch critic of the BJP, he has vowed to “keep South India’s doors shut to the BJP,” rallying opposition parties like Congress and the AAP to counter Modi’s ambitions. His clout was evident during the 2024 Karnataka elections, where his insistence on a Congress-JD(S) combine to counter BJP dominance led to K. Siddaramaiah’s tenure as Chief Minister. Critics like Yeddyurappa dismissed this as hubris—mocking JD(S)’s current meagre 37 MLAs—but Gowda’s strategic alliances have defied expectations.

### The JD(S) Survival Strategy: A Leader against the Odds
The JD(S) faces existential threats: family infighting, electoral declines, and a leadership vacuum. Deve Gowda’s son D. H. Lokanath’s exit and the party’s 2019 Lok Sabha wipeout (winning just two seats) underscore these challenges. Yet, the veteran remains pivotal. Analysts cite his talent for uniting regional leaders: he orchestrated the landmark 2023 Janata Democratic Front, which brought figures like Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, and K. Chandrasekhar Rao to Bangalore for Siddaramaiah’s swearing-in, symbolizing his vision of a pan-Indian “anti-BJP” front.

### Legacy: The Architect and His Contradictions
Deve Gowda’s career isn’t flawless. Accusations of dynastic ambitions—his push for son-in-law R. Ashoka to become president—and criticism of his “my-way-or-the-highway” tactics persist. However, his pragmatic acumen cannot be denied: his 1997 exit strategy (ousting then-ally I.K. Gujral to stay relevant in UPA-era politics) mirrors his current battles against the BJP.

### Why He Matters in 2024: The Lasting Hand of a “Coalition Magician”
At 86, Deve Gowda embodies the “glue” holding together opposition forces in Karnataka, a state critical for Modi’s future. His strategy to ally with Congress—despite past fractures—highlights his adaptability. Even skeptics acknowledge that his decades-old relationships with political actors render him a necessary partner, despite his age.

### Challenges Ahead: Can a Legacy Party Survive?
Critics question if his leadership can resolve JD(S)’s structural flaws. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections and state politics will test his ability to rejuvenate his party beyond just being “Congress Inc.” versus BJP.

### Final Thought: More Than a Politician, a Political Icon
H.D. Deve Gowda’s story isn’t just of personal triumph but of a leader who’s mastered the art of survival in India’s turbulent democracy. Whether his 70-year-old party can outlive its founder’s presence remains unclear—but as long as he leads, his shadow looms large, shaping Karnataka’s—and perhaps India’s—political destiny.

*In a career where he once envisioned dams like the Alamatti (from his tenure as Water Resources Minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao), Deve Gowda continues to build his own legacy reservoir. The question is, can it withstand the next electoral sandstorm? Only time will tell, but history won’t forget his name.*

**Read more about his political philosophy: Deve Gowda’s 1990s Prime Ministership | His Vision for the Mekedatu Dam Controversey**

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This post consolidates Deve Gowda’s legacy, positioning him as a force to reckon with, balancing nostalgia and pragmatic politics in India’s fractious political arena.