The relations between Karnataka and the Centre were more sweet than bitter during the full term of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Prime Minister (1999–2004), says S.M. Krishna, whose tenure as Chief Minister coincided with this period.
“I and Vajpayee shared a good friendship on many fronts during 1999–2004. Mr Vajpayee acted a judge of sorts between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu when Jayalalithaa sought the release of the Cauvery waters. This was when the basin area was facing severe drought. Mr. Vajpayee used to listen to endless arguments from both the States and played a delicate role,” the former Chief Minister recalled on Thursday.
Airport work
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Krishna also narrated the events leading up to the laying of the foundation stone for Bangalore International Airport (now Kempegowda International Airport) and said Mr. Vajpayee was initially unwilling to lay the foundation stone. But later, the State convinced him.
Mr. Vajpayee laid the foundation for the airport at a function held at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha. Mr. Vajpayee also inaugurated K.R. Puram flyover.
It was during the Mr. Vajpyaee’s term that the Centre sanctioned World Bank loans to several projects, including Karnataka’s economic and administrative reforms. The bank had blacklisted the State during the J.H. Patel government citing the State’s poor fiscal record. But the State, with the active intervention of the Centre under Mr. Vajpayee’s regime, obtained loans for undertaking reforms in various sectors of the economy, Mr. Krishna said.
Paying rich tribute to Mr. Vajpayee, Mr. Krishna said, “Mr. Vajpayee was a monumental example for all Prime Ministers as to how a Prime Minister should conduct in a federal polity ... His approach to problems were humane.”