Unseemly conduct

Unseemly conduct
Private-public cooperation has been dealt a blow with the ongoing spat
Deccan Herald

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Deve Gowda’s inappropriate remarks about Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor Narayana Murthy’s contribution to the international airport project has resulted in Mr Murthy quitting in disgust as chairman of the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Mr Gowda criticised Mr Murthy for taking five years to get the BIAL project cleared. Mr Gowda also advised the Chief Minister, Mr N Dharam Singh, against allotting 845 acres outside Bangalore to Infosys, alleging that some IT companies were using agricultural land for real estate. Mr Murthy’s disgust is understandable. The airport project had ground to a standstill thanks to the apathy and inefficiency of successive governments in Bangalore and Delhi. It was only after Mr Murthy entered the picture, that the project began moving forward. Mr Murthy has worked hard as BIAL chief and spent time and energy on it. Mr Gowda’s critical remarks are therefore wholly inappropriate. The Chief Minister’s shameful silence is as distressing as Mr Gowda’s shoddy behaviour. He has failed to clarify issues and to speak up on behalf of Mr Murthy, whose contribution to Karnataka, indeed India, has been remarkable.

Karnataka’s political class has repeatedly shown that they have neither the will nor the imagination to address the daily problems of the people or to ensure the implementation of projects. Incapable of providing good governance themselves, they seem averse to private citizens coming up with fresh ideas and taking the initiative to clear up the mess.

It is not just the BIAL project that is bound to suffer grievously as a result of Mr Gowda’s remarks. Private-public partnership has been dealt a serious blow with the State’s senior politicians publicly ridiculing the role of the private sector in urban reform. Relations between the IT industry and an irresponsive government, which have deteriorated significantly over the issue of Bangalore’s crumbling infrastructure, is likely to worsen. It is in the interests of the people of Karnataka that the spat is resolved immediately and Mr Murthy brought back on board. Mr Gowda should apologise for his unseemly conduct.