The chief minister had a one-point agenda with SM Krishna, a former Congress chief minister: get US president Barack Obama to visit the state capital when he comes to India in November.
Amid acrimonious exchanges between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress, the chief minister, BS Yeddyurappa, sprang a surprise on Monday when he called on external affairs minister SM Krishna.
The chief minister had a one-point agenda with Krishna, a former Congress chief minister: get US president Barack Obama to visit the state capital when he comes to India in November, to give a boost to brand Bangalore.
Yeddyurappa’s visit came within a few hours of his party colleague Shobha Karandlaje calling on Krishna. The chief minister, who is basking in the successful conclusion of the recent Global Investors Meet, requested Krishna to get the American president, Obama, to visit Bangalore. He also submitted a memorandum urging speedy implementation of centrally-sponsored programmes in the state.
According to sources, Yeddyurappa reportedly told Krishna that if the American president visited Bangalore, it would be a matter of great pride and prestige for the city and would give a big boost to the IT industry and other sectors in the state.
The last time when an American president, Bill Clinton, came to India, he visited Hyderabad.
Yeddyurappa and Krishna were closeted for over 20 minutes during which they discussed the state’s demand for additional funds from the Centre.
During his meeting with Krishna, who was the state's chief minister between 1999 and 2004, Yeddyurappa also handed over a letter of request, highlighting the efforts that the Congress leader had undertaken to build the image of brand Bangalore during his regime.
“Your government (Krishna) put Karnataka on the world map. India's economy has boomed because of Bangalore. Out of 250 biotech companies in the country, Bangalore is home to 140 of them. Please bring US president Obama to Bangalore to witness the development that happened in your regime and also during the BJP rule,” Yeddyurappa said in his letter, according to sources close to Krishna.
After the meeting, Yeddyurappa told reporters that it was “a courtesy call. We discussed developmental projects. I requested him to pressure the Centre and get additional funds for the state.”
Earlier in the day, Karandlaje met Krishna and asked him to ensure that better facilities were provided to Manasarovar pilgrims. She explained the problems being faced by the pilgrims as she herself had had bitter experiences during her recent pilgrimage to Manasarovar.
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