BENGALURU: Over a year ago when former Chief Minister SM Krishna joined BJP, it was said that he would help the party improve its performance in the state capital that has 28 assembly segments and also expand its base in the Old Mysuru region. The veteran leader, however, seems to have mostly kept himself away from the BJP’s poll preparations and the party too has not actively involved him in its strategy to achieve ‘Mission-150’.
He was rarely seen at the party rallies, except attending ‘Parivartana Yatra’ in Mandya and a rally addressed by PM Narendra Modi in the city. Prior to that, he had briefly campaigned for BJP candidates during Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls. Sources told The New Indian Express that Krishna had visited the party office only once after he joined BJP in March 2017. He doesn’t hold any position in the party.
Krishna had played a major role in bringing Congress back to power in the state after assembly elections in 1999 and is also credited for the IT city’s development during his tenure as CM.
In the last few months, BJP president Amit Shah held several rounds of discussions with his party leaders to strengthen organization. “Krishna was not invited for the strategy sessions. He is a big leader and his services will be utilized by the party in an appropriate manner and at an appropriate time,’’ a senior BJP leader told TNIE.
What was intriguing is the fact that Krishna was not seen at most of the rallies attended by top leaders and does not seem to be part of candidate selection process. He was not even seen during party president Amit Shah’s recent visit to Mandya, Krishna’s home district. All these raise questions if the former CM is not given due importance in BJP like the way he was treated in Congress during his last few months in the grand old party.
Sources in the BJP, however, dismiss such an argument. “Many party leaders, including BS Yeddyurappa and others leaders involved in preparation of party’s election manifesto, are in touch with him and seeking his guidance. The party will utilize his services to woo city’s intelligentsia, opinion makers and top business leaders. He can connect with them well and get their support for the party. He will also be involved in electioneering in Vokkaliga-dominated areas and also in the state capital,’’ they added.
While joining BJP, Krishna had praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. They have taken the country to great heights. I see great India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, supported by Amit Shah, he had stated. Six months after he joined the party, Income Tax Department had raided his son-in-law VG Siddhartha’s office.