Gowda's first blog post is live

Karnataka's most colourful politician H D Deve Gowda has just posted his first-ever blog article.

"This is probably his first ever article anywhere," said the journalist who transcribed his post. "He spoke in English and Kannada, and I put down everthing as he had said it, in the same order." Once the transcription was done, Deve Gowda read it and approved it.

The former prime minister is among three prominent Kannadigas featured on CNN-IBN's new politics micro-site. The other two are Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani and Sangh Parivar ideologue Sudheendra Kulkarni. All three have posted their views about the upcoming elections.

"You may wonder why this old man and son of a poor farmer ... is talking about his background and bygone times," Deve Gowda says, and goes on to attack the BJP and the Congress for not respecting the diversity of India. They are trying to impose a bi-polar system, but a two-party democracy will not represent India adequately, he argues.

Deve Gowda, who often describes himself as a humble farmer, says it is time again for a third choice.

Browsers who visited his blog have been scathing about his "opportunism" when he allied with the Congress and the BJP, and asked whether he would stay away from those parties even after the elections. Some have suggested Gowda take sanyas from politics.