IBNLive Chat: 'Bangalore should not be Bangalored'

GROUND WORRIES: Ramesh Venkateswaran, Director, SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysore, says the new Karnataka government has to address infrastructure woes.

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

Television, for politicians with a vision

Featured Slideshows

Related Headlines

powered by

• Karnataka polls: It's Bangalore vs Karnataka
• Ananthamurthy comes up with a novel poll manifesto
• In Pics: All the action from Karnataka Phase I

Keywords: Growth, Bangalore

Siddharth Krishnan: Sir, Have two questions to ask: 1) Politicians standing for this election - seem to be no different - they are barely intellectuals, propagate populist measures and still practice 'Power-Money' politics. For a state suffering corruption, red-tapism, scarce infrastructure, imbalance regional growth - we need more selfless politicians! One cannot blame them, cause selflessness as a virtue is uncommon. How does one incentivise them to work for the state? 2) In the recent past, we have had elections coming every 4th year. For any government to formulate its policies, to plan. execute and implement them till the grass-root level, it would take some time. Further to which to reap the results of the same takes even longer, by the time its tenure has ended. Which ironically means that the next govt reaps the benefit of the predecessor's efforts. For instance, we are probably reaping the benefits of liberalisation (1991) today!!!! As a ruling party - knowing this, what is my incentive to plan something visionary for the people of my state?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: Q 1 : We see changes taking place in the country over the years - though not as fast as we may want . Unless we get more people from the masses, with a passion and zeal to work for the larger good of people we do have an issue. More education, increased levels of awareness and of course economic independence are factors that will help. Q2: The issue you raise is not unique to Karnataka or the country. This exists in almost all countries of democracy. Part of the answer lies in Q 1 - getting the right kind of people with the right motivation. Various countries across the world have done well on this count.

Ravi: Has the mood in the state moved from a 'versus' debate (Urban-Rural, IT-non IT, Kannadigas-Outsiders, Infrastructure for the elite- Basic services for the poor, etc.) to a truly inclusive stance that allows for reasoned debate and best outcomes for all?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: I am not sure that we have moved from a versus debate yet. I think the political system and the citizens should definitely focus on an all-inclusive stance for the long-term benefit of all people in the state. The versus debate is taking away energy and preventing Karnataka from reaching its true potential.

Umesh Murthy: Will we get a single party government in Karnataka? If yes, do you think they will keep up the promises?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: The way current opinion polls go it appears very unlikely that we will get a single-party government . Most of us will be praying for a miracle! A single-party government will be in a better position to honour promises made and be citizen friendly.