Murthy resignation worries Sonia, PM

Murthy resignation worries Sonia, PM
Delhi still assessing the situation
Dharam trying to contact Murthy Says airport project will go on Episode may send wrong signals abroad, fears Delhi
Vijay Times

New Delhi/ Bangalore: A day after Infosys chief Narayana Murthy resigned as the Chairman of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the ’tremors’ were felt in distant New Delhi as well with both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi being "seriously concerned" about the development.

Though the spokespersons of neither the Congress nor the PMO were willing to comment on it, on the plea that the situation was still being assessed, sources said both Sonia and Manmohan Singh had sought details about the resignation and its fallout.

"They are extremely worried, but what can they do", a senior AICC functionary remarked. However , it is learnt that Chief Minister Dharam Singh has been firmly told by the AICC higher-ups to deal with the matter immediately and take up suitable damage-control measures.

Dharam Singh, meanwhile, tried his best on Friday to get in touch with Murthy and persuade him to withdraw the resignation. He told reporters that he had not been able to contact Murthy so far but that he would continue his effort. He said the work on the airport would, however , go on unimpeded.

A spokesman for BIAL also said the ongoing work at Devanhalli airport would not be affected. "W e are committed to finishing the airport work as soon as possible. H o wever , we will miss the services of M urthy who gave the final push to the project." The Chief Minister held an emergency meeting with Chief Secretary B K Das and principal secretary , Department of Infrastructure Development, and reviewed the progress on the project.

Government sources in New Delhi indicated that Murthy’s resignation episode would send a wrong signal to the international investors in key infrastructure projects. "Murthy is one of the most respected individuals across the world, especially in the corporate circles, not just information technology . He is known for his clean corporate practices", an AICC spokesman said.

The Prime Minister’s office, which is said to be directly monitoring the developments in Bangalore, is also said to be in touch with Murthy . At the party level too, Sonia is learnt to have asked her close aides to monitor the situation, and also to be in touch with Dharam Singh.

Sonia is said to be aware that the actual battle of JDS boss H D Deve Gowda is with former Chief Minister S M Krishna and that M urthy is just an indirect target. How Dharam Singh will handle the situation is being keenly watched.