Krishna joins BJP, Shah says will honour seniority

Seven weeks after he quit Congress, former Karnataka chief minister S M Krishna on Wednesday joined the BJP in the presence of the party's national president Amit Shah.

Though Krishna said he was not expecting any post in the organisation, Amit Shah said the party will give him “due respect” keeping in mind his seniority. Krishna, who quit Congress charging that the party had ignored his seniority and experience, was welcomed to the BJP by Shah. He handed Krishna the BJP symbol lotus at the party headquarter here.

"I am humbled today that I am joining the party which was led by great leaders. I see a great India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ably supported by the party president Amit Shah," Krishna told reporters. Praising both Modi and Shah, Krishna said the two leaders "have taken the country to great heights and this is not an exaggeration".

Recalling his association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior leader L K Advani, Krishna said, “I am deeply honoured as I am joining a new party and I will work for its cause.”

Welcoming Krishna into the BJP, Shah said his joining is a message to all honest politicians that they should strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi. Terming Krishna's decision to join the BJP as a "timely one", Shah said, "Krishna is joining the party after witnessing change in the country since Modi became prime minister. Since then the party's acceptability across the country has gone up." Shah said Krishna’s presence will increase the party's strength not only in Karnataka but across the country.

The party will also give him due respect keeping in mind his seniority, the BJP president added. Later, answering questions, Krishna said he would continue in active politics.

He said he did not ask for any posts for any of his family members, including his daughter or son-in-law. These were just rumours, he said.
DH News Service