Former Karnataka CM and ex-Union Minister SM Krishna quits Congress

Mangalore Today News Network

BENGALURU,Jan 29, 2017, DHNS: Upset with the party leadership for sidelining him, former Union minister S M Krishna quit the Congress on Saturday. The 85-year-old leader sent a letter to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, informing her of his decision to resign from the party’s primary membership. He was also a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee.

Krishna, however, refused to comment on the resignation. Instead, he said he had convened a press conference on Sunday and would speak out then. Sources close to Krishna said he was dejected as the party high command refused to pay heed to his suggestions on issues related to the government and party in Karnataka. Besides, he was unhappy with the party’s decision not to make him a Rajya Sabha member in the June 2016 elections.

Krishna’s decision has come as a shock to party leaders as they fear that this may antagonise the Vokkaligas, a dominant community in the state. The community is already said to be feeling sidelined as the Siddaramaiah government has been giving priority to Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). Ever since Krishna resigned as the external affairs minister in 2012, he has remained a forlorn figure in the Congress. The party did not give him any big responsibility during the 2013 Assembly election too.

The sulking leader had even refused to campaign for the party. But he finally agreed to campaign in Bengaluru following the intervention of senior leader A K Antony, sources said. According to sources, Krishna had complained to the high command about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s style of functioning and had warned that the image of the party would be dented if steps were not taken to rein him in. But his efforts proved futile.

State Congress working president Dinesh Gundu Rao described Krishna as a dignified person, who is a role model to all politicians. “I am not aware of his decision. He might have taken the decision to resign as he is not active in politics,” Rao said.

Krishna, who began his political career in 1962, has been an MLA, MLC, member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, served as Union minister, Speaker, deputy chief minister, president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, chief minister and governor.