Do you consider Mr H D Deve Gowda among your friends?

He is from Karnataka. Yes, he is. We have always been on the opposite side of each other all through. Ramakrishna Hegde, we were always on the opposite ends of the political spectrum. But we have mutual respect. We conduct our politics in a very civilised manner.

You are considered to have given one of the best administrations Karnataka has seen. Which is the best administered state in India?

I don't think I am competent to sit in judgement about performances. That is the job of Montek Singh Ahluwalia (deputy chairman, Planning Commission), who evaluates the development of a state.

There are problem areas, issues, controversies, whatever you call them -- there is Ayodhya, there is the Cauvery issue. Do you think the issues could rise above political interests and find an all-acceptable solution?

During Devraj's (Devraj Urs, Karnataka chief minister, 1972 to 1977, 1978 to 1980) time and during Hegde's (Ramakrishna Hegde -- chief minister, 1983 to 1988) time, the Cauvery water treaty was almost done, but for some developments in Tamil Nadu. Given the will, we can find a solution.

Maharashtra faces another problem. A debt of over Rs 100,000 crore.

It is certainly a disturbing scenario that the state would have borrowed beyond its capacity. But Maharashtra is very rich. It has tremendous resources. Maharashtra can deal with the situation. Other states face similar problems. Even Karnataka.

One accusation against me, when I was chief minister, was that the Rs 33,000 crore which we had borrowed over a period was beyond Karnataka's capacity. But we were correct in our repayment schedule. I asked the chief secretary how is the debt repayment situation. He said they are almost up to date, which is an indication of the state's credibility.

I asked and was very pleasantly surprised when the chief secretary said they had not drawn an overdraft. It augurs well for Maharashtra.

There is hope.

There is hope. Hope is eternal.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda

Also see: 'Divisive forces will have to be curbed'