Times News Network

Bangalore, Mar 14:  The Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies, N.R. Narayana Murthy, has previously been exhorted to join politics. Mr Murthy has always enjoyed political clout, but so far it has mostly been a behind-the-scenes presence. Infosys Technologies, the Bangalore-based IT giant, had a turnover last year of Rs.9,000 crores and has a 15,000-strong workforce in Bangalore alone.

Not surprisingly, Infosys has made its presence felt in the political environment in Bangalore, over the last few years-not through the conventional route but what may be called the 'governance' route. It has been instrumental in initiating a civic governance agenda , like the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) for example, which have pressed for the implementation of a 'Public-Private Partnership' model in areas of governance that were earlier under exclusive government control.
However, Narayana Murthy has hardly had a smooth ride. It is believed that he resigned from the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) on October 19, last year, because Janata Dal chief H.D. Deve Gowda questioned the slow progress of the airport project under his chairmanship.

According to media reports, Narayana Murthy and a team from Infosys made a presentation on the international airport plans for the then Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh and Deve Gowda. After the meeting Deve Gowda reportedly expressed his reservations about the plan

But brushing aside some unpleasant memories of his foray in politics, Narayana Murthy appears to have chosen a more 'direct' route this time. Reports indicate that he may be the next President of India after the term ends for the incumbent. Mr Murthy appears to have shed his earlier views on joing active politics. After all there can never be too many good men in politics.