Should Narayana Murthy Plunge Into Politics?
Sign in

Should Narayana Murthy plunge into politics?

Senior Manager - PR Firm

Air Deccan founderCapt G R Gopinath is for sure plunging into electoral fray to contest the LokSabha polls as independent but software icon N R Narayana Murthy is not nursingsuch ambition saying he is too old for an innings in politics.

"Absolutely I said I am too old. Sixty is the age when all of us should goto `Vanaprasthanashrama' (renunciate worldly life). I don't think that's theage when you start politics," he said here.

Having said that, the Chief Mentor of NASDAQ-listed Infosys Technologies wasall praise for Gopinath for his decision, describing him as an honest anddecent man. As long Gopinath has energy, enthusiasm and age on his side and iswilling to work hard, it's "absolutely wonderful", he added.

"There is a critical mass of independent candidates who win in electionand sit in Lok Sabha and who are able to form a block which stands for honesty,truth, righteousness and national development. It's good. They don't have to bepart of any political party at all," Murthy said.

Asked about too many regional parties calling the shots in the Lok Sabhaelections and whether it's good for political stability, Murthy said thecountry is going through a time when democracy is maturing.

"As we move forward, we will get to a stable situation of probably two orat best three parties", he said. "Let's remember that we are still ayoung democracy compared to the US or the UK. It will happen (two or threeparty system)".

He said inflation going down to 0.27 per cent is good for a vast majority ofpoor people, while the Sensex today regaining the 10,000 level means there ismuch more disposable income and interest in the stock market.

"I have given about 150 speeches in the last 15 years on various topics. Ihave selected 40 of them (15 delivered abroad and 25 in India). It's primarilyabout values, leadership, contemporary issues, urban planning and primary andhigher education etc", he said.

start_blog_img