Amit Shah welcomes Congress veteran S.M. Krishna, says BJP will now be stronger in K'taka

Veteran Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday and stated that he would like to rededicate himself to the cause of the nation under the saffron party's banner.

"I am deeply humbled that I am joining a political set-up which has given a great glory to the country and I would like to rededicate myself to the cause of the nation under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party," Krishna told the media here.

Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah while welcoming Krishna in the party said that his contribution is appreciable and that the former Congress stalwart is a great asset of the nation.

"On behalf of BJP I welcome him. His contribution will make our position strong in Karnataka," he said.

Krishna who joined BJP in presence of Amit Shah had put off his plan last week after the death of his sister.

Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with Shah and to join the party, he had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her death.

84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not.

Krishna, who was the chief minister Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012.

A trusted aide of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Krishna is credited with setting up Bengaluru as the nation's IT hub. Later, he returned to Karnataka, hoping to play a role in state politics.

He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.