Bangarappa willing to be in fray for CM

BANGALORE: Former chief minister S Bangarappa is willing to be in the fray for a second innings as chief minister.
"If I am allowed to have dinner with a full moon on my table, why should I say no? Similarly, if the party high command wants me to become chief minister, why will I say no? I will not reject the proposal if offered but I will not try on my own.I am ready for a second innings," he said at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Bangalore Press Club.
On retirement age for politicians, Bangarappa, who recently turned 71, said: "Retirement is not for me as I consider myself young. Old age brings experience where as youth brings energy and aggression..."
Asked where he would contest the elections from, Bangarappa evaded a direct answer, but said the party high command would take a decision. He also declined to be drawn into the leadership issue but said he believed in the leadership of the Congress and Sonia Gandhi.
"Vayalar Ravi has already made a statement and I stand by it," he said.
Bangarappa reiterated his demand to ban online and all forms of lotteries in the state. "Online and all forms of lotteries should be stopped immediately as lakhs of people are being lured and affected," he said.
He, however, appreciated achievements of the state government despite drought, legal battles over Cauvery and Krishna rivers, Veerappan menace and the death of Nagappa in captivity.
"There is satisfaction at the government''s functioning but not complete satisfaction," he maintained.
No government is free of the Cauvery issue. The state has to await the verdict of the tribunal about the quantum of sharing. Also, Karnataka is not alone in its mission to capture Veerappan.
"The government has to work with other states and the Centre. It is not an easy issue to be handled. It is unfortunate that Nagappa died in captivity," he said.
About elections, Bangarappa said that there was no need for early elections in the state but added that the general elections depended on the outcome of polls in five states in December.
In Karnataka, Bangarappa said, a unified JD(S) and AIPJD could be a force to reckon with in the elections. In the absence of the merger of the Janata Parivar factions, BJP would be the only alternative. "A division of votes between the JD factions will catapult BJP into the second position," he noted.
Asked if legal action would be initiated against persons who foisted a case against him in the purchase of Classik Computers, Bangarappa said that he wanted to close the chapter after obtaining an acquittal and was not interested in settling personal scores.