Congress sources said Krishna may have discussed the issue with Congress president Sonia Gandhi when the two met here on Monday evening.

The former chief minister would like to be relieved of his gubernatorial assignment and made Union minister in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet.

If this happens, getting into Parliament may not be too difficult for Krishna, through Rajya Sabha. Four members of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka will be retiring this April and if made a minister, Krishna will have to be fielded from the State to the Elders’ House (also, Congress should have a minimum of 48 members in the Assembly). As per the Constitution, one need not be a member of either House of Parliament to become a minister but has to get elected within six months of becoming a minister.

However, to get into the Upper House, there will be have to be elections to the state legislative assembly first and Congress should do well to send its members to the Rajya Sabha.

Krishna’s supporters say inducting the Governor to the cabinet, like it was done in the case of then Andhra Pradesh governor Sushil Shinde two years ago, would give a representation to Karnataka in the Union cabinet. At present, Oscar Fernandes is the senior most member from the State in the council of ministers being minister of state with independent charge.

Krishna, who held discussions with Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence after greeting her with a huge bouquet, invited her to inaugurate the Rajiv Gandhi chair at the University of Mumbai. As governor, Krishna happens to be the chancellor of the university. The retiring Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka are: Congress members Union minister of state M V Rajasekharan, Janardhana Poojary and Prema Cariappa and independent Vijay Mallya.