S M Krishna ranks #1 - A survey by India Today-ORG-MARG

The bi-annual 'Mood of the Nation' poll conducted by India Today-ORG-MARG in January 2002, tracked the performance of Chief Ministers of 16 states by using a sample of 17,522 voters, representing a cross-section of all social age groups in urban and rural areas. The poll also gives us an insight into the popular perceptions of the people. The following are the results.

#1 - S M Krishna, Karnataka
Chief Minister S M Krishna of Karnataka does it again. This is the second time he has been voted the best CM. The first time was in August 2001. Call it his art of political consciousness, his Zen-like approach to his job or his clarity and efficiency that have rated him as India's best Chief Minister.

What Krishna has been able to do is to bring Karnataka back in focus as the state of the future. He has also set his priorities right - pushing for roads, jobs and houses for townsmen, irrigation schemes for farmers and drinking water for the poor. Althbough not one to get into the nitty-gritties, Krishna sets his targets and expects his colleagues to deliver.

While Infosys Chairman N R Narayana Murthy praises him for his 'accessibility and openness to implement new ideas', software whiz and CII's president-designate, Ashok Soota calls him a 'feel-good' Chief Minister. Popularly known as the 'Western Gowda' in contrast to his earthy predecessor, Krishna sports a Hyundai Sonata having discarded his old Ambassador and admits he enjoys the good things in life.

What is his secret? Krishna says it is his ability to blend orthodoxy and conservatism with modernism. In other words, he is the Congressman in white kurtas when dealing with party politics and the suave businessman in Saville Row suits and a Dallas accent when wooing foreign investors.

Pluses: A suave administrator and a firm believer in teamwork, his modern outlook, openness and accessibility have helped put the sheen back on Karnataka's image.

Minuses: Considered too soft and sometimes indecisive, he still has to execute all that he has promised. Could face difficulties because Karnataka's finances are in a mess.

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