A day after former External Affairs Minister and Karnataka CM S M Krishna bid adieu to the Congress, Mysuru and Mandya saw intense political activity with Krishna’s followers too resigning from the Congress, media reports suggested.
The Congress suffered a major setback in CM Siddaramaiah’s native district with former MLC, D Made Gowda and senior Congress leader, Vikrant Deve Gowda sending their resignation letters to KPCC President and Home Minister of the state, G Parameshwara.
Made Gowda had served as the Mysuru Urban Development Authority chairman and had played a major role in bringing about the Asha Mandira scheme, which includes construction of homes for the underprivileged. He also has a strong Vokkaliga following.
Krishna and his wife Prema received a warm reception in Maddur on Sunday 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, a report by the New Indian Express said.
Krishna, however, kept the suspense going and did not comment on B S Yeddyurappa’s announcement that he would invite the former to the BJP.
Krishna’s resignation has come as a shocker in political circles and speculation is rife about his next move.
The debate over his sudden resignation and its impact on the party’s fortunes had CM Siddaramaiah react by saying that the veteran leader should not have quit the party, while Parameshwara said that efforts were being made to bring Krishna back into the Congress’ fold.
“Krishna has held many important positions. He should not have taken this step,” the CM told media persons.
Energy minister DK Shivakumar, who was Krishna’s close aide during his tenure as the CM of Karnataka had, in a series of tweets, said: “I take this opportunity to assure all Congress workers and leaders who may be distressed on hearing this news that we are with you, and the Congress is united. The party is focussed on winning the Karnataka assembly polls. Krishna's followers must not panic, and continue working for the party.”
In another tweet, he dubbed Krishna's decision to leave the party as unfortunate. “In his long career, he held several important positions that the Congress assigned him. In recent times, leaders from the Congress high command spoke to him, and told him that they had the utmost respect for his contributions,” he said.
Admitting that Krishna's resignation was a setback to the party, Parameshwara told media persons that he would try and convince Krishna to not leave the party. “We will try to convince him not to leave the party again. The party does not require only those who praise it, it also needs individuals who criticise,” he said.