It was a rousing reception for senior Congress leader S M Krishna when he landed at the Bangalore airport.
He returns to the state after three years and three months as Mahrashtra Governor and will have his hands full as the Chairman of Election Management & Coordination Committee.

Speaking to media persons at his residence, Krishna indicated that a strategy would be drawn up in a few days to ensure victory for the Congress in the coming Assembly election. The Congress would make a concerted effort to stage a comeback and he would be making his own little contribution, he observed.

Expressing happiness over his return to active politics, Krishna said he was grateful to his party workers for their support. When his attention was drawn to the discordant notes heard in his party over his return, he likened it to ripples in the ocean.

Krishna landed at 1.30 pm along with wife Prema and two daughters. Congress leaders and workers thronged the airport, posing a tough challenge to the police, which deployed the Rapid Action Force.

Leaders present
Senior leaders Dharam Singh, H K Patil, R V Deshpande, G Parameshwara and Ramalinga Reddy, besides D K Shivakumar, Krishna Byre Gowda and Tejaswini Gowda were present.

KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who was conspicuous by his absence at the airport, called on Krishna at his residence.

Drum beats and slogans in praise of Krishna rent the air. Some women leaders planned to welcome their leader with traditional aarti, but did not get an opportunity.

Cutting short partymen’s plans to take him in an open motorcade to greet his fans and well wishers, Krishna went in a car to the nearby HAL Ground and addressed party workers. He convinced the party workers that the  travelling public should not be inconvenienced.

Krishna assured his partymen that he would honestly and diligently try to discharge the responsibility vested in him by prominent leaders including AICC President Sonia Gandhi.

Stating that election to the State Assembly may be held anytime, Krishna remarked that his party workers had given him courage to face it.

“This ancient party has been strengthened through infusion of young blood into it. The youth are extending me an unstinted support to further strengthen the party”, he added.