Bengaluru: A few leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had tried to ensure D.V. Sadananda Gowda to step down when he was the chief minister since he was a Vokkaliga, according to former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda.

“I have been struggling a lot throughout my life. I did not mortgage my self-respect despite hardships and problems,’’ Deve Gowda said while participating in the programme organised to release a book on Vokkaliga Sangha founder secretary K.H. Ramayya.

Scholarships were distributed to the meritorious students during the programme. “It is true there were difference between late Balagangadharanatha Swamji and me. I have no issues to reveal it. I want to make it clear that late Balagangadharanatha Swamiji had contributed a lot for the welfare of Vokkaliga community in the state,’’ Deve Gowda said.

He said the people knew how late Balagangadharanath Swamiji had utilized the services of politicians. “Swamiji had built the mutt well. Some BJP leaders were tried to bring down Sadananda Gowda government within six months since he was a Vokkaliga but I prevent their attempts,’’ he said.

He has also recalled how late Jeevaraj Alva had an ambition of becoming Vokkaliga leader. “I told the then chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde about the possibility of his government losing power if he fails to caution Jeevaraj Alva,’’ he said.

Expressing concern over the lack of unity among the Vokkaliga leaders, he said lack of unity makes it difficult for leaders to work for the welfare of society. “It is weakness of the society. The need of the hour is to have a unity among Vokkaliga leaders,’’ he said.

He has also recalled how he did not allow anyone to cross the limits when he was Prime Minister and how his Cabinet ministers were waiting him to step down. “Not even a single minister of my Cabinet offered a cup of tea when I step down from the office,’’ he said.