Karnataka poll results: India Inc pins hope on a clean and stable govt

BANGALORE: Business leaders in Karnataka are relieved that voters have given their mandate to a single party, thus promising the prospect of a stable government for the next five years. Unsurprisingly, their main demand is good governance in a state which has been hobbled by instability and a series of scandals.

“This is a clear anti-incumbency verdict against corruption and political instability. The mandate calls for a clean and stable government,” said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the chairman and managing director of biotechnology company Biocon and a leading voice for greater civic participation in elections.

Since 2004 when SM Krishna lost power, Karnataka has been ruled by five chief ministers, including three from BJP. While instability and scandals slowed decision-making, Bangalore has been particularly affected because the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the city’s growth.

“Development has been a casualty and I hope the incoming Congress government pays strong attention to development and restores Bangalore and Karnataka’s leadership across development metrics,” said Mazumdar-Shaw, who is the prime mover behind the Bangalore Political Action Committee. S Gopalakrishnan, the executive co-chairman of Infosys, said he is glad that there is a clear verdict. “This provides certainty for a majority government in Karnataka.”





Gopalakrishnan, also the CII president, said the top priority for the incoming administration should be to provide good governance. The government, he suggested, should also focus on infrastructure and create a conducive environment for formation of new businesses.

Mohandas Pai, a former director at Infosys and chairman of Manipal Global Education Services, said the message from the people is that they will not tolerate corruption and bad governance. “If Congress takes that message seriously and acts on it, they will have popular support.”

Ramesh Ramanathan, the founder of Janalakshmi Financial Services, remarked that there is an “overwhelming sense of relief” that a single party has won the mandate. “The Congress must respect this mandate and nominate a chief minister soon and get down to the business of governance.”