Ex-Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna quits Congress

synopsis

Veteran Congress leader of Karnataka and former Chief Minister SM Krishna has quit the Indian National Congress party and has conveyed his decision through a letter written to party president Sonia Gandhi. The 84-year-old former Union Minister will make a formal announcement at a press conference on January 29.  

SM Krishna is an important political figure who has held many important positions including the speaker of Karnataka assembly, governor of Maharashtra Union Cabinet Minister of External Affairs under former PM Manmohan Singh. As the CM of Karnataka, SM Krishna is credited for making Bengaluru the IT capital of the country. 

As of now, no official reason has been given for his sudden decision that caught everyone by surprise in the Karnataka state Congress. However, there are speculations that the party veteran is miffed for being sidelined from the party with which he is associated from more than five decades. Other reports are also claiming that current CM Siddaramaiah’s high-handedness and dictatorial behaviour within the party has been the cause of this decision. 

However, SM Krishna has not hinted anything, and his resignation letter also does not disclose any reason. It is expected that at the press conference, Krishna will speak at length about what prompted his decision and what are his plans ahead. 

Meanwhile, the state Congress party leaders expressed their shock over this sudden political development. KPCC President and state Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that “I am not aware of it. If it is true, I can’t even believe it. I do not want to react now.”

“We had not sidelined him in any matter from any angle. He is one of the most likeable leaders of our party…the party had not sidelined him,” he further added.