Political polarisation has begun in Karnataka: Krishna

Two days after joining the BJP, the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday said political polarisation had begun in Karnataka. “A clear picture on the political polarisation in the State will emerge in five to six months from now,” he said after visiting the BJP State headquarters here for the first time since joining the party in New Delhi on Wednesday. His statement is being interpreted in political circles as a hint that more number of Congress leaders may join the BJP. Mr. Krishna, 84, who severed his nearly 50-year-old association with the Congress about two months ago, indicated that he was ready to take on the Congress by saying that he would campaign for BJP candidates in the byelections to Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly segments. The BJP is planning to hold election rallies in these constituencies on April 2 and 3 which are expected to be addressed by him. Making it clear that the decision to join the BJP was not a sudden one, Mr. Krishna disclosed that he met BJP national president Amit Shah nine months ago itself and discussed several issues. He accused the Congress of “mentally torturing” him which lead to “frustration”. Mr. Krishna was given a traditional poorna kumbha welcome by the BJP, with more than 20 priests performing the ritual at the party office.

Welcoming Mr. Krishna into the party fold, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa remarked that the veteran leader’s entry had bolstered the party’s strength and that it was ready to repeat its performance in Uttar Pradesh in Karnataka in the 2018 Assembly elections.