After persuasion, Gowda (dis) graces Bangalore's IT event

After persuasion, Gowda (dis) graces Bangalore's IT event
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The ongoing tussle between JD (S) supreme H D Deve Gowda and his detractors went global on Wednesday, with Gowda giving a vent to his ire against his detractors, including Infosys Chief N R Narayana Murthy during inauguration of Bangalore IT.in 2005.

Though Gowda did not take Murthy’s name and later denied that he was targeting any individuals, the issues raised were the same, including allotment of land to some IT companies and ‘whispering campaign’ against the coalition Government, which he has been harping on for the last fortnight.

Gowda made a ‘U’ turn over his earlier decision tostay away from the event, after much persuasion byChief Minister N Dharam Singh and others. During his over 45 minutes speech, Gowda elaborated on his achievements and contribution to IT development and lashed out at his detractors.

“Those who try to create negative impression on the coalition Government should touch their conscious and ask themselves. People should not feel that the coalition Government is not giving importance to for basic infrastructure. I am the one who declared 10-years tax holiday for IT industry and amended the Land Reforms Act, enabling growth of Industry in the State,” Gowda said.

“I am not going to minimize the growth of IT industry. I am not jealous on how much profit the IT people do. I am not bothered. But, I am bothered about the people, who give away their land for industrial development. They should not come on the streets,” Gowda said.

“Besides, 90 per cent of IT industries are running their business on rented offices. But, there are some problems. Every land allotted should be accountable and the single window agency, which clears these projects should look into the land allotment issue,” he said.

Charging that a `whispering campaign’ against the coalition Government began two months after Dharam Singh took over as Chief Minister, Gowda said that those who do not indisposed the coalition Government should understand that they couldn’t de-stabilise the Government.

“Bangalore has grown enough and the industry can move to smaller places like Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli or Hassan. However, if there are any lapses, action will be taken against them,” he added.

Later, speaking to mediapersons Gowda said that he was not targeting any individuals. “However, I have warned Chief Minister N Dharam Singh to ensure that those who lose their lands for industrial development, should get a job in industry, that comes up on his land,” Gowda added.