My shortcomings led to JD(S) downfall: HD Deve Gowda

``I'm on a party revival mission as elections are still 42 months away,'' said Gowda who will start his mission revival from Dakshina Kannada District, considered the weakest link in the party's chain. ``I will tour all 224 assembly segments in the state. I will meet sincere JD(S) party workers and leaders who are remaining on the side-lines or have been ignored. I will visit them personally and see that the party will rise to its old glory,'' said the party's national president. ``I have never commented about persons who left the party. I don't expect the persons who left the party for power to come back since we don't have power,'' he said replying to a query. ``There are party insiders who are worried why I'm on this mission at this age of 81. I don't care. My aim is to see that the party rises as a strong alternative to the two national parties which have tried to finish us on several occasions. That's the reason I made peace with my son HD Kumaraswamy who formed government with BJP. I also understand that I cannot do it alone and I need all the help I can get,'' said Gowda. Gowda said that he hoped the women's empowerment bill should be passed in the coming winter session. ``Earlier there were problems as it did not get full support. That should not be a problem now,'' he added. On his support to Modi, Gowda retorted: I welcomed PM's clean India campaign. That does not mean that I will welcome all his actions. We will play the role of a constructive opposition. -TOI