Hassan, (The Hindu): Janata Dal (S) president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said here on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity had suffered owing to demonetisation and introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Recent developments, including the Telugu Desam Party walking out of NDA, were signs of the decreasing popularity of the Prime Minister, he told presspersons.

The Prime Minister had assured people of Andhra Pradesh a special package “but had made an about-turn,” he said.

Referring to the former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily’s tweet making an accusation against the Public Works Minister on the process of selection of candidates, Mr. Gowda said Mr. Moily’s allegations were true. “What he said is true. No doubt in it. This is only one of the issues. There are many such in the government,” he said.

On the Cauvery issue, Mr. Gowda said he had already written to Central Ministers against setting up of the Cauvery Management Board. “My stand on the issue is clear. I will participate in the meetings, if any, convened by the State government on this issue,” he said.

The former Prime Minister said he would take out a march to Raj Bhavan along with farmers, who were affected by the NICE project in Bengaluru. “How can the Congress claim to be corruption-free by inducting people like Ashok Kheny,” he asked.