After expressing his disillusionment with the Congress, former External Affairs Minister and former Karnataka CM, SM Krishna will travel to New Delhi on March 13 to meet with national BJP leaders.

According to sources in the BJP, SM Krishna will meet BJP National President Amit Shah on March 13 to discuss the veteran leader’s switch over to the BJP.

Sources in the BJP claim that Krishna will make a formal announcement of joining the BJP by March 20.

The move comes after SM Krishna and BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa met at Krishna’s Sadashivnagar residence on Monday.

“When SM Krishna offered his resignation to the Congress earlier in January, the BJP had approached him to join the party. He will join the party as early as possible. This is a big boost for the BJP,” Yeddyurappa said.

Sources in the BJP say that after Krishna makes his formal announcement, he will hold a meeting with his supporters in Mandya, who may follow him to the BJP.

Congress MLC D Made Gowda from Mysuru and senior Congress leader, Vikrant Deve Gowda had on January 31, sent their resignation letters to KPCC President G Parameshwara soon after Krishna’s exit.

Krishna and his wife Prema had visited Maddur on January 31 and many Congress leaders had gathered to offer their support for the veteran politician and pledged their loyalty to him while stating that they would follow him for the benefit of the state.

“The BJP is banking on Krishna’s ability to bring in as many leaders as he can,” the source said.

The former External Affairs Minister had said during a press meet on January 28 that he was “pained and angered” by the way the Congress had treated him.

Referring to the grand old party abruptly discarding him from his post as a Union Minister, Krishna had said that his pride was hurt.

“There is a way of getting rid of political leaders. I think the Congress should learn the art of being graceful in whatever they do,” Krishna had said.