Participating in a meet-the-press programme organised jointly by Bangalore Press Club and  Reporters’ Guild, Bangalore, Krishna observed that a lot needs to be done to strengthen the party.

He spiked criticism that his entry into state politics has sparked off groupism in the party. “I have come here on the directions of the high command and we are all together in achieving the final goal”, he added.

He said he was not aiming to become the chief minister and the high command has set him the agenda of helping the party to regain power in the state.

Krishna said the Congress would have to face challenges from three major political forces in the State and the Party would have to factor all these forces while drawing up a strategy.

Never questioned
Asked whether the high command has sent him to the state in the light of the drubbing his party received in Gujarat, Krishna said, "I am one who never questions the decisions of the high command."

The former CM did not agree with the view that coalition politics would be inevitable in future in the state.

"During the last three years, the state people have seen how a coalition government works and will not again make the mistake of bringing back a coalition government to power. They will vote for a party which can take them on the path of sustainable development", he observed.

Krishna said that Congress will not project any single leader as chief ministerial candidate in the coming elections. He did not offer a direct reply to a question whether he would contest the assembly elections. He said it was not true that Congress was not ready to  to face the elections.

Foolproof voters list
"The Congress is for a foolproof voters list. Our anxiety is that all deserving voters should get an opportunity to vote. We are ready to face elections any time", he added.

*“Successive” governments in the state should have taken steps to provide connectivity to the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli. Why they did not visualise the problem?

*Infosys Chairman Narayan Murthy was not interested in heading the Bangalore Agenda Task Force, but I persuaded him. He was treated shabbily  by the governments that succeeded the my government.

*A “factual report” on the Hogenekal issue needs to be sent to the Centre.

*On whether he had read the book written by former Minister H Vishwanath: There are several books which I am yet to read; but have little time for that.

*By and large the Maharashtrians do not subscribe to the agitation launched by the Maharashtra Navanirmana Vedike headed by Raj Thackery that Mumbai should be for only Maharashtrians.

*As Governor and Chancellor of Maharashtra I must have appointed about 10 vice-chancellors; but not even a single call was made to  pressurise me.

To some extent I tried to effect social engineering as Governor.