DV Suresh, brother of Minister of Indian Railways Sadananda Gowda
He may have got a plum portfolio, but it began on a bitter sweet note for Sadananda Gowda, the newly elected Minister of Indian Railways. A major rail accident of the Gorakhdham Express killing 40 persons on the same day he took oath as minister in the Modi cabinet.
The former Karnataka Chief Minister has an interesting connection to the post he now holds. His youngest brother DV Suresh happens to be the station master at the Nandikoor station, near Mangalore in Karnataka. Like all other voters he hopes the new minister makes Indian Railways more safe and accident free.
"See I am only a station master. Who am I to give suggestions to the Minister? He must be having several advisors. There are some local issues here but all areas need focus. I think he will do a good job. But we all want safety in our railways. That is very important.
Someday if he is free then we will sit and discuss the local issues and am sure he will develop all areas equally." said the 52-year-old station master.
Mr Gowda took charge as minister on May 27. "There are many areas that need focus.
Infrastructure needs to be developed. Security in our trains needs to be improved. Safety should be improved. We will do our best." said a smiling Mr Gowda.
Karnataka as expected has got a lion's share in the newly formed cabinet. Venkaiah Naidu may belong to Andhra Pradesh but he is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and is among the top 5 ministers in the Modi Govt. Mr Gowda is known to be an efficient administrator, articulate and has a clean image. There is a lot of talk on how the Yeddyurappa loyalist has got a bigger portfolio than 6-term MP from Bangalore South, Ananth Kumar who will now look after chemicals and fertilizers ministry.