The Congress’ worries over the exit of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna now seems to have multiplied after the BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa made a public statement that Mr. Krishna was set to join the saffron party.
What has added to its worry, a year ahead of the Assembly elections, is the fact that Mr. Krishna’s office was not categorical in denying Mr. Yeddyurappa’s statement though it clarified that he is “yet to take a call on his political future”.
Though the 84-year-old former Chief Minister was not active in politics after his unceremonious exit as External Affairs Minister, he is one of the senior and powerful faces of the party from the old Mysore region. His exit is expected to have an adverse impact on the party’s prospects, especially in the Vokkaliga heartland of Mandya and Ramanagaram districts, as he belongs to the politically powerful caste.
Not in good shape
The Congress is already not in good shape in Mandya district owing to infighting and disgruntlement among leaders like actor-turned-MLA Ambareesh.
Interestingly, the region has been a JD(S) and Congress stronghold with the BJP not having made any electoral gains in the past. This is perhaps why Congress leaders are even more worried about Mr. Yeddyurappa’s statement.
Such a move by the veteran leader would not just be a major embarrassment to the Congress at the national level, but may also strengthen the BJP in the old Mysore region where the party is keen on improving it’s presence.
Mr. Krishna also has goodwill in urban areas like Bengaluru for his focus on IT and BT sectors and building brand Bengaluru, and the Congress is concerned about the impact his move will have in the city as well.
Senior Congress leaders admit that Mr. Krishna’s exit is a tricky issue. “We do not know whether it would have helped the party if he had not quit. But, his quitting just before the polls will certainly affect us, as it has brought the focus on his work as Chief Minister his stature in the Vokkaliga community,” a Congress leader remarked.
Sources in the BJP said it may take more time, at least till the completion of the Uttar Pradesh polls, to pursue it’s efforts to woo Mr. Krishna. The Congress too may attempt to pacify Mr. Krishna. Given the situation, Congress sources say “the direct intervention of the AICC president or vice-president may be necessary to pacify Mr. Krishna”.
