Narayana Murthy mulling a role in politics, says Straits Times

Indian IT mogul 'eyeing role in politics'  says the Straits Times in an article dated April 02, 2007 (subscription required - I heard about this article from a friend who's in Singapore).

INDIAN software mogul N.R. Narayana Murthy may be considering a move into politics, with talk that he may even bankroll the revival of an old political party.

Mr Murthy, founding chief executive of Bangalore-based Infosys Technologies, has discussed the move with at least two prominent industrialists in recent weeks.

'Murthy asked what they thought of reviving the old Swatantra Party. He indicated he is willing to put up as much as four billion rupees (S$140 million) of his own money for the purpose,' a person familiar with the discussions told The Straits Times.

Mr Murthy was in Zurich and was not available to comment. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, Infosys spokesman Bani Dhawan denied that Mr Murthy planned to enter politics or set up a political party.

But well-placed sources close to the discussions think Mr Murthy may be inclined to reconsider his options.

I had earlier wondered about such a possibility in a piece titled Political entrepreneurship - is India ready for it?

We'll have to wait and see if this news is indeed true or if its an April Fool's prank. I haven't yet been able to find any mention of it online in the Indian press or in the blogosphere.

Comments

[sankhya]

interesting stuff. can't be an april fool joke since this is not really joking material! it's probably a trial balloon and i don't think he's ready to take the plunge just yet but it would be great if it happens. any such party will be competitive in the urban constituencies rightaway but may take longer to make a dent in the rural heartland. they may have to settle for a kingmaker role like the left which will at least ensure that they have a veto on policy. mohd. yunus' nagarik shakti probably stands a better chance of becoming a mass party since his bank commands a vast grassroots presence and he himself commands solid credibility in the rural heartland not to speak of urban areas too.

[sriram]

is it is swatantra party of rajaji times?

[K Satyanarayan]

Yes, it is the same Swatantra Party, set up by Minoo Masani, Rajaji and others, that is being talked about