Gowda: ‘Nothing wrong with Bangalore infrastructure’

‘Nothing wrong with Bangalore infrastructure’
The Indian Express

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 13: Brushing aside media reports on the crumbling infrastructure in Bangalore, former prime minister and Janata Dal (S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda on Monday claimed that ‘‘there was nothing wrong with Bangalore’s infrastructure’’.

While trying to scotch the impression that he was ‘‘anti-IT’’, Gowda said: ‘‘Though I am a dhoti-wallah, I (as Chief Minister) gave clearance to the IT Park in Bangalore.’’ The IT Park marked the beginning of a new phase in Bangalore, he claimed.

Gowda added that he had declared a 10-year tax holiday for the IT industry in the state: ‘‘Please understand that Deve Gowda was also interested in the growth of this country’s economy.’’

Gowda argued that the Dharam Singh government was not responsible for any lapses. He said, ‘‘Why raise a hue and cry about a government which has only completed six months? What has happened in eight years?’’

He vowed to raise the issue inside Parliament and outside ‘‘when the time comes’’. ‘‘I don’t want to see either the Manmohan Singh government or the Dharam Singh government in danger,’’ he added.

Gowda said that there was no need for Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to come to the Capital to explain his position. ‘‘There was no need for him to come to Delhi to tell (the media) what our government is doing for IT and BT. There are media people in Banaglore too,’’ said Gowda.

In reply to a question, Gowda said that he thought there was ‘‘nothing wrong’’ with Bangalore.

Asked if the trust between the industrialists and the government had been eroded in Karnataka, Gowda said: ‘‘Can you tell me who are these industrialists? I don’t want to take the name of anybody, including S.M.Krishna’s. I only say that after I left, the airport project had been pending for eight years.’’ The Political Affairs Committee of Janata Dal (S) met on Sunday evening and reviewed the political situation in the country, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana, which are going to Assembly polls soon.