Gowda’s latest: NRN is Krishna’s weapon

Gowda’s latest: NRN is Krishna’s weapon
The Times of India

Bangalore: After branding Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy a land-grabber, JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda on Saturday accused Maharashtra governor S M Krishna of using the IT czar as a “political weapon’’ to destabilise the Dharam Singh government.

Two days after Murthy quit as Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) chairman, Gowda told reporters: “These are futile exercises (at destabilisation); they will be disappointed. AICC president Sonia Gandhi wants to strengthen secular-democratic forces in the country. She’ll have to take the final decision on the coalition government.’’

Krishna, who went hammer and tongs at Gowda after the latter unleashed assault on Murthy last Sunday, chose to remain silent. Raj Bhavan sources said: “The governor prefers to ignore baseless allegations with the contempt they deserve.’’

Reacting to Murthy’s resignation, Gowda sarcastically asked: “Will Bangalore’s growth stop if he resigns?’’ Murthy never visited the BIAL office and instead used to convene meetings on his company premises. “The coalition government did not appoint Murthy BIAL chief. The decision to quit or continue is left to him. No individual is indispensable.’’

Gowda tried to drive a wedge in the IT sector saying the contribution of Infosys to Karnataka’s economy is nothing great compared to that of other players like Wipro, IBM, Honeywell and Accenture. “Murthy is not a solitary individual who has contributed to the IT sector’s promotion. He should remember that behind every able man are several able men.’’

Pointing to 1,145 acres of land allotted to Infosys near Sarjapur and in Bangalore North taluk, Gowda said: “They are asking for more than what they require. Murthy is only robbing poor farmers to build a five-star hotel where he and his political friends can meet and enjoy.’’

“Wipro’s Azim Premji is minding his own business; he doesn’t tell us how to run the show. But what does Murthy think? Are all the senior bureaucrats and technocrats in the state inefficient?’’ he asked.

Peacemaker pays the price
Sept. 22: Murthy brokers peace between IT industry and Karnataka government after stand-off between the two over infrastructure.
Oct. 15: Murthy makes presentation to Dharam Singh and Gowda on improving urban governance. This is, ostensibly, on Sonia’s suggestion.
Oct. 16: Gowda accuses IT firms of land-grabbing, names Infosys. Questions Murthy’s contribution as chief of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL).
Oct. 17: IT industry and BIAL chief executive bat for Murthy and Infosys, call Gowda’s statement illogical.
Oct. 20: Murthy quits as BIAL chairman, hurt at the way Gowda went to the me dia instead of clarifying with him. “Ayyo, what did I do for him to resign?’’ says Gowda.
Oct. 21: Infosys issues point-by-point rebuttal to Gowda’s barbs.
Oct. 22: Gowda says Krishna is using Murthy as a pawn to destabilise Dharam Singh government. Murthy, in the US, refuses to join issue saying he has said all he wanted say.