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Article: India's new leader seen as a conciliator Gowda says he has limited ambitions but he lives and breathes politics
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- June 2, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1996 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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H.D. Deve Gowda says he is a man of limited ambitions.
His goal was to lead his small state. But last week, Gowda was
named prime minister of India.
"I never dreamed of this," said Gowda, 63, when he became the
surprise choice. He reportedly laughed when told of his nomination.
Gowda is seen as a conciliator, a necessary quality for the leader
of the United Front's uneasy mix of leftist, regional and lower-caste
parties.
Born into an upper caste, Gowda leads an alliance that draws most
of its northern support from lower-caste Hindu voters.
Gowda has never held a national office, and by law, he must win a
seat in Parliament within six months to remain prime minister. He
already has a ...