Amid speculation, BJP gears up to woo SM Krishna
Synopsis
Some BP leaders are happy and making efforts to woo SM Krishna The BJP will be hoping to gather the support of Vokkaliga voters. But SM Krishna has remained silent about all possibilities, dismissing none
It is not yet certain whether former Congress stalwart SM Krishna is going to join the BJP or not. But many BJP leaders are ready to welcome him, as the BJP aims for a 'Congress Mukt' Karnataka.
As a part of this mission they have already hijacked a powerful Congress Dalit leader - Srinivasa Prasad. Now, there will be a great advantage to the BJP if SM Krishna, who is a powerful Vokkaliga leader, joins the saffron party.
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BJP party members also feel more leaders are likely to join the BJP, if SM Krishna is persuaded to join the party. Caste calculations are a major factor in Karnataka elections.
The JD(S) has the strongest Vokkaliga vote bank in Karnataka, but this advantage of the JD(S) can be curtailed if Krishna is persuaded to join BJP.
Currently Krishna has not said anything about joining any party. However he also clearly not dismissing out of hand the gossip that he might be going join the BJP. Besides, on many occasions he has appreciated the work of PM Narendra Modi.
Some media reports claim that SM Krishna has contacted several top leaders of the BJP in Delhi before announcing his resignation from the Congress. BS Yeddyurappa, state President of BJP, has said that he’s going to contact SM Krishna and try to know what is in his mind.
The BJP in Karnataka are in a sorry state. The party's internal feuds, often embarrassingly played out in full public glare, has left little room of cohesion or long term planning. Perhaps SM Krishna is the key that will propel the BJP back into power after ten years.