Krishna will campaign for the BJP in bypolls to Nanjangud and Gundlupet assembly seats on April 9, being seen as a litmus test ahead of 2018 elections
After 46 years in Congress, SM Krishna, at 84, joined the BJP fold on Wednesday evening and showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.
BJP sources cited three reasons — Krishna belonging to Vokalliga community, which has a significant presence in Southern Karnataka, his clean image, and his switching sides probably sapping the Congress morale — for induction of the former chief minister.
Krishna, once a trusted aide of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, joined the BJP at the party headquarters here in the presence of senior leaders, including Union Ministers Ananth Kumar and Sadananda Gowda, besides party general secretary Muralidhar Rao.
Describing his joining BJP as the "next stop in his long career in public life", he said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a "soft corner" for him. "I can see a great new India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the able assistance of BJP president Amit Shah... As a former foreign minister I am aware of the jealousy with which India is being watched by other countries as it emerges and re-emerges," he said.
Though Krishna has kept away from active politics for a while, his changing political loyalties would help the BJP pitch it as a reflection on the Congress-led government in the state, where elections are due next year. Chief Minister Siddharamaiah also belongs to the Vokalliga community, like former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda.
Krishna will campaign for the BJP in bypolls to Nanjangud and Gundlupet assembly seats on April 9, being seen as a litmus test ahead of 2018 elections.
Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa belongs to the Lingayat community and with Krishna now in BJP, the party is hoping to send the message that it was a party of both communities. While Lingayats constitute around 20 per cent, Vokalligas form nearly 15 per cent of the state's population.
Krishna was disappointed with the Congress for not giving him any roles in line with his seniority. Though he would be campaigning for the BJP, the party has an unwritten code that bars anyone over 75 from being either a Union minister or chief minister.
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 "Amit Shah greets SM Krishna")
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