Karnataka's new CM lacks administrative experience?

Bangalore, Aug 4: Karnataka's new Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has a secret special weapon that might lack in most of our politicians - a disarming smile that rarely leaves his face, though he might not have much of governance experience.

Gowda turned out to be Yeddyurappa's favourite nominee after BSY's name was indicted in the illegal mining scam and was forced by the party to step down. Gowda isn't a familiar face in K'taka politics.

According to some anonymous BJP sources, the two-time MP from coastal Karnataka had at one point — when he had stepped down as party president — been promised a plum position like that of the chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority by Yeddyurappa.

Having failed to fulfill this promise, Yeddyurappa, it seems had promised that Gowda would be his first nominee to the chief minister"s post in the event of him being forced out. The 58-year-old Gowda was quick to cash in when the opportunity came.

As casteism played an important role in the appointment of CM, Gowda, is not strictly considered a Vokkaliga in the sense of the Gowdas of southern Karnataka. He is commonly referred to as a Sullia Gowda — on account of his origin in the Sullia-Puttur region of coastal Karnataka where a number of areca-growing Gowda landholders reside.

One of the questions being raised about Gowda is his lack of serious experience in administration outside party affairs. “Everybody learns administration on the job. Sadanandaji has essential qualities like patience and the ability to take everybody together. He has people to fall back on for administration," said a close aide of Gowda.

A law graduate, Gowda worked as an assistant public prosecutor in the magistrate courts in Puttur before diving into politics. He is married and has a son who is pursuing a degree in engineering.

OneIndia News