Published Nov 14, 2022 | 9:30 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2022 | 3:26 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai shares stage with Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy in Bengaluru on 2 April, 2022. (Twitter: CMofKarnataka)
“My Akka (sister) Sudha Murthy and I come from the same town, same college and same environment. She called me when I became chief minister and her heartwarming wishes made me emotional. I sought her blessing that very instance. I know Akka’s blessings are very powerful.”
Basavaraj Bommai said this on 24 August, 2021, a few weeks after he took over from BS Yediyurappa as chief minister of Karnataka.
Sudha Murthy alongside PM Narendra Modi at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda statue. (Supplied)
“Akka” Sudha Murthy is, of course, the Infosys Foundation chairperson. The famous author and philanthropist’s “powerful blessings” seem to be something he is holding on to tightly even now.
Marred by baiters from within the BJP and consistently under attack by the Opposition over allegations of corruption, Bommai’s image has taken a severe hit.
With prominent citizens of Bengaluru and policy influencers like Mohandas Pai, an ardent supporter of the Narendra Modi-led Union government, too, calling out the corruption and bad infrastructure in Karnataka lately, Bommai, it seems, is banking on his association with old friend and confidante Sudha Murthy to help him overcome the dent to him and his government.
Sudha Murthy’s presence alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 November, when he unveiled the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru, was only the latest instance when she was invited to a government event.
Sudha Murthy at an event honouring late Dr Puneeth Rajkumar on 1 November. (Supplied)
Barely a fortnight days ago, on 1 November, Sudha Murthy shared the stage with Tamil superstar Rajinikant and Telugu actor Tarak Rama Rao aka Jr NTR at a Karnataka government event to confer “Karnataka Ratna” posthumously on the late Puneeth Rajkumar.
Sudha Murthy, according to those close to Bommai, was the chief minister’s special guest at the event.
A prominent face in Karnataka, Sudha Murthy being invited to a government event is not unusual.
Sudha Murthy receiving an award from government of Karnataka on behalf of her husband and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. (Supplied)
But the frequency with which she is seen sharing stage with Bommai has raised questions on whether Bommai is hoping to deflect some of the damage coming his way through public association with Sudha Murthy, who enjoys massive goodwill from all sections.
Sudha Murthy is no stranger to public life and enjoys a good relationship with politicians cutting across party lines.
For instance, at the official government Dasara celebrations in 2018, Sudha Murthy was invited to inaugurate the event by then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who was leading the Congress-JDS coalition government.
Sudha Murthy has also shared a cordial relationship with Bommai’s predecessor BS Yediyurappa.
Sudha Murthy welcoming President Droupadi Murmu at an event in IIIT-Dharwad on 26 September. (Supplied)
As a philanthropist whose foundation works closely with governments, Sudha Murthy has often found herself on boards, committees, and events associated with the government.
Things, however, seem to be different this time around.
Since he took charge as chief minister in July last year, Bommai has shared stage with Sudha Murthy nearly a dozen times — some official government events and some non-governmental events.
On 26 September, for example, Sudha Murthy was with Bommai and President Droupadi Murmu at IIIT-Dharwad where she is the chairperson of the board of governors.
Sudha Murthy participating at the launch of ‘Modi@20’ book on 27 June. (Supplied)
On 27 June this year, Sudha Murthy was at the launch event of Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery, a book in which she has also authored a chapter.
During the event, Sudha Murthy even appealed to Bommai to develop their home district — Hubballi-Dharwad — like Bengaluru had been.
Inaugurating an new block built by Infosys Foundation in Mysuru on 7 April this year, Bommai was all praise for Sudha Murthy’s contribution to Shaktidhama Women’s Rehabilitation Centre.
Sudha Murthy virtually joined the inaugural event of a new block at Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru. 17 November, 2021. (Supplied)
On 2 April, Bommai and Sudha Murthy shared the stage at an event organised by the Sri Rama Seva Mandali in Bengaluru. At the event, the chief minister declared that funds would be allocated to develop Anjanadri hills believed to be the birthplace of Hindu deity Anjaneya and sought recommendations of experts from Sudha Murthy.
There have been also instances where Sudha Murthy has shared the stage with Bommai virtually. Like, for instance, during the inauguration of a new block developed by Infosys Foundation at Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru in November last year.
Other than hailing from the same town of Shiggaon, Basavaraj Bommai and Sudha Murthy are decorated alumni of BVB college of Engineering in Hubballi (now named KLE Technological University).
Bommai in the past has fondly remembered Sudha Murthy as his “senior” and the first woman engineer to graduate from the college. Both have also worked at a private firm together in the past.
Observers believe that Bommai is attempting to achieve three goals with his constant public appearance with Sudha Murthy and the Hubballi connection is only a step in that direction. One, to salvage his personal and government’s public perception by associating himself with someone like Sudha Murthy whose social work has earned her enormous goodwill.
Two, to have a vocal and prominent “endorser” of his work as chief minister to the central leadership of the BJP. Given the baiters he has in the state unit who have nothing positive to say about his administration, Bommai is said to be relying on outside endorsements by people that the party holds in high regard.
Three, to manage sharp public criticism of his government by those seen as “friendly” by the BJP, given Sudha Murthy’s proximity to prominent citizens in the state who are seen as policy influencer.
@narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @blsanthosh @sardesairajdeep Pl see, is this not a failure of governance,bad management? Why are those responsible not being punished? Citizens suffer for failure of governance,corruption,bad work, corrupt officials get away!is there hope? https://t.co/pveuLoaO7R
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) August 30, 2022
Businessmen like Mohandas Pai, who have the ear of the central leadership of the BJP and belong to the initial team that built Infosys, have been openly complaining about corruption, maladministration and infrastructure failure in Karnataka, even tagging Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh, causing embarrassment to the Bommai government.
A meeting between Bommai and Pai in September this year is said to have been a step towards the same.
