Bangalore: Former Prime Minister and JD-S (Janata Dal Secular) president H D Devegowda today (July 31, 2004) assailed attempts by a section of industrialists to create "misgivings" in the minds of people that the Congress-JD-S coalition Government in Karnataka has ignored industrial development, particularly the IT sector.

"I want this first ever coalition Government to succeed. In the last 60 days, the Government has done its best to aid industrial growth," Gowda asserted at a press conference in Bangalore, while coming down heavily on the critics.

In an obvious reference to the failure of the previous Government to grant land to IT industries near the Electronic City, Gowda said the present dispensation could not be blamed for that.

Taking a dig at those who have been insisting that the development of Bangalore was not in the focus of the new Government, he said, "We want the overall development of Karnataka, including Bangalore."

In this regard, he exhorted captains of industry to disperse their units outside the city and hold negotiations with the Government on their problems.

Gowda said it was during his Chief Minister ship that the Software Technology Park project saw the light of day and in his tenure as Prime Minister, which a 10-year tax holiday was extended.

Defending the seven per cent tax hike on IT industry and flaying criticism that surfaced over this, he said Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has presented a balanced Budget, with focus on rural and industrial development.