I was a popular Lawyer in Mangaluru during Emergency (1975-77). People were angry with Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency. There were protests, riots, violence in many parts of the country against Emergency. But, I believe Emergency has done some good to the country. Indira Gandhi had formulated good Schemes for the development of the country and Emergency helped her to implement these Schemes without any obstacles. These programmes reached majority section of people. But some Officers and leaders misused these programmes in North India. Except this, I still believe that the amount of good work that happened during Emergency has not happened in any other time.

Devaraj Urs was Chief Minister in Karnataka and J Vengal Rao was his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh. Both implemented the 20 Point programmes effectively in their States. This is the reason why Congress won these two States in the election held immediately after withdrawal of Emergency while the Party lost in all other States. Devaraj Urs became Chief Minister again in 1978.

Afforestation programmes (Vana Mahotsava), which we are seeing now was started by Sanjay Gandhi during Emergency. He used to respect his mother a lot and I have witnessed it. I am of the opinion that Sanjay Gandhi did a really good job during Emergency. Later people spoilt his name.