Saturday, October 22 2005 18:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Even as his coalition partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) stepped up attack against Infosys Chairman N R Narayana Murthy, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Oct 22, 2005) said he had a telephonic talk with the IT icon and pleaded with him to withdraw his resignation from the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL).

Singh told reporters he managed to establish contact with Murthy who is in the United States (US) and requested him to reconsider his decision to quit BIAL. Upset over Gowda questioning his contribution as BIAL Chief, Murthy had stepped down from the post early this week.

He said he would continue dialogue with Murthy on his return to the city on November two and sort out the differences of opinion that prompted him to quit BIAL Chairmanship.

Disapproving Singh's efforts to persuade Murthy to continue in the post, former Prime Minister H D Devegowda today renewed attack on Murthy accusing him of indulging in politics at the behest of Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna.

Gowda also sought to belittle the contribution of Infosys to the IT sector, saying, "It is nothing."

Singh said he had no personal differences with Krishna, two days after mounting a scathing attack on his predecessor for suggesting that if any inquiry had to be held into the World Bank survey report on corruption in Karnataka during his (Krishna's) tenure, it should start from the PWD department, a portfolio held by Singh in the previous Congress Ministry.