Krishna arrives in city to grand welcome by BJP state unit

Gandhi's words about Cong coming true, says former CM

Former Chief Minister S M Krishna made his maiden entry into the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru by stating that he will strive to bring the party to power in the state.

Krishna said there will be political polarisation in the state within the next five to six months. “Mahatma Gandhi wanted the Congress wound up after Independence. It looks like his words are coming true” Krishna said, as the audience applauded.

Krishna, who had joined the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of party national president Amit Shah on Wednesday, was given a rousing welcome amid folk dances and bursting of crackers at the Kempegowda International Airport around 7.45 pm.

Later, a grand reception awaited him at the BJP headquarters in Malleswaram, including “Poornakumba” welcome by 21 priests.

Speaking after being felicitated by party state president B S Yeddyurappa in the presence of state unit leaders including R Ashoka, Ramachandra Gowda and Aravind Limbavalli, Krishna said he will campaign for the party in the byelections to Gundlupet and Nanjangud constituencies.

Krishna called BJP the most disciplined party and said he was impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and joined the party to support him and his developmental programmes.

He praised Modi’s move to demonetise high-denomination currency notes, his surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Swachh Bharat initiative. He had a high regard for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stating that the young leader had a bright future.

“The Congress talks about my age, but what is the age of their leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge?..... He should be 75..76...77 years!” he said amid peals of laughter.

Yeddyurappa said Krishna's entry into the BJP has given a boost to its mission of making Karnataka “Congress-free” and securing 150+ seats in the Assembly elections next year.