SM Krishna likely to attend Mandya district leg of Parivartana rally

The assurance of former chief minister S M Krishna to participate in the 'Parivartana Yatra', scheduled to arrive in the district on January 19, has brought cheers among the BJP workers of the district.

Krishna, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP, had not participated in any major party programme, so far. The party workers, who met Krishna during his private visit to Bharathinagar recently, appealed to him to be a part of the Parivartana yatra, in the district. Krishna's assurance has given a much-needed morale boost to party functionaries in Maddur constituency.

Moreover, BJP's Karnataka poll in-charge Prakash Javadekar too had met Krishna in Bengaluru recently and had requested him to attend the valedictory of the Parivartana rally to be held in Bengaluru on January 28.

BJP Maddur taluk president Lakshman Kumar said, Krishna's presence during the programme would give a shot in the arm for the party. We would again request him, by inviting him formally, he said.

Yogeshwar eyes Maddur

Channapatna MLA C P Yogeshwar has plans to contest from Maddur and is holding hobli-level party workers conventions. He has been travelling across the district, with an eye on Srirangapatna and Malavalli also, as Maddur is a strong fortress of the JD(S). As Krishna has joined the BJP, old Congress leaders will also join the party. If the party works hard, victory is possible, opined a few locals.

Meanwhile, Yogeshwar is claiming that the BJP will create a history by winning Maddur Assembly constituency. Though the party workers have been urging me to contest from Maddur, the party high command will take a final decision in this regard, he said.

Cong lacks leadership

Though there is no dearth of ticket aspirants in the Congress party, it lacks popular leaders, who can face the BJP, say Congress workers. Congress leader Madhu Madegowda said, the party is being strengthened from the grassroots level. Congress will win the Maddur seat in the upcoming elections, he said.