BANGALORE - IT icon and Infosys Technologies chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy Thursday favoured independents contesting in the ensuing parliamentary elections and hoped their presence in the Lok Sabha would augur well for Indian democracy.

‘Independents who are honest, truthful and have the interests of the country at heart need not belong to any political party. If elected, they can become a strong bloc in the Lok Sabha and strengthen Indian democracy,’ Murthy told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

Welcoming the entry of Air Deccan founder G.R. Gopinath, ABN AMRO Bank country head Meera Sanyal and renowned danseuse Mallika Sarabhai in the electoral battle as independents from Bangalore, South Mumbai and Gandhinagar in Gujarat respectively, Murthy said if more such candidates get elected, they would become a critical mass in guiding the destiny of the country in the right direction.

‘It is wonderful to see honest and decent persons like Gopinath, Sanyal and Sarabhai entering active politics. As long as they have enthusiasm, willingness to work hard and spirit, we should encourage them to do what they passionately feel about,’ Murthy said after inaugurating an online book portal pustak.co.in here.

Asked if he would contest as an independent in this election or in future, Murthy said he was too old to enter the poll fray as he was 60 already.

‘I feel that I am at an age when one should renounce the material world. I don’t think 60 years is an age to enter politics,’ Murthy asserted.

Admitting that too many political parties, especially regional ones, were not good for a healthy democracy, Murthy said India was going through a phase where democracy was maturing.

‘I am sure as we move forward we will reach a stable situation where we will have two or three parties. Let us remember that we are still a young democracy compared to the US, Britain or France. But it will happen,’ he predicted.