Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 5: Former union minister, S M Krishna, noted with regret that the entire system of democracy now rests on money. He said that democratic aspirations cannot be met as long as money plays a lead role in politics.

He was speaking at a programme organized to release work on his achievements and experiences, 'Smriti Vahini' and five other books. "We have seen good days. We are worried about the future now. There is no easy way to release politics from the clutches of money," he said. He also recalled the experiences of handling the abduction of cine star, Rajkumar, by forest brigand Veerappan, and anxious moments he went through till the star was released after about two months.

Retired Supreme Court judge, Dr M N Venkatachalaiah, hoped that the country will witness a sea change in politics in the coming five years. He expressed his concern that corporate houses might take off the control rules and regulations of the world in future. He said that the elected government has to provide a suitable stage for knowledge and intelligence to get exhibited. Noting that Krishna, during his rule, had given importance to strengthening cultural pillars of democracy, he said that the country needs leaders like Krishna. He recalled that there was talk of Krishna becoming Prime Minister in the past.

D Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math who presided recalled that Krishna had exhibited his leadership qualities even during his student days and that he had also received a letter from John F Kennedy for the initiative he had undertaken to canvass for him when studying in Texas University.