Krishna set for a comeback

Former chief minister of Karnataka S M Krishna, who is now the governor of Maharashtra, is set to return to active politics shortly.

With elections to the state assembly expected to be held in February, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has reportedly directed Krishna to take over the poll campaign.

According to Congress party sources, Krishna is expected to tender his resignation from the post of governor on January 29. Krishna is expected to be appointed the chairperson of the Congress' Election Coordination Committee in the state.

Initially, the AICC planned to replace Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mallikarjuna M Kharge by appointing Krishna, but there were too many contenders. Besides, there was no consensus in the KPCC on appointing Krishna as the president.

Kharge did not want to relinquish the post of KPCC president as former ministers D K Shivakumar, H K Patil, R V Deshpande and former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, who quit JD(S) to join Congress, were in the fray. Former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief too had thrown his hat in the ring.

"The AICC created a special post for Krishna to avoid confusion within the Congress that could have impacted the campaign. Now, Krishna will lead the campaign with the rest of the state Congress leaders working under him," the sources said.

Krishna, a popular former chief minister, belongs to the Vokkaliga community, which is strong in South Karnataka. With JD (S), a party dominated and supported by Vokkaligas, having lost its base South Karnataka, the Congress is keen on consolidating its position in the region by appointing Krishna.

The Congress expects Krishna to contest from the Maddur constituency in Mandya district. In the previous assembly elections (1999), Krishna had led Congress to absolute majority. After serving as the chief minister for close to four-and-a-half-years, the assembly was dissolved in favour of early elections in 2004. However, the Congress lost power.

Krishna, who had then won the 2004 assembly elections from the Chamarajapet segment (Bangalore), resigned subsequently. He was appointed the Maharashtra governor later.