Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde's clean chit in mining scam sparks Foreign Minister's re-entry in Karnataka politics, as his supporters are pushing him to play another innings.
Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde's clean chit in mining scam sparks Foreign Minister's re-entry in Karnataka politics, as his supporters are pushing him to play another innings.
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Buoyed by Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde's clean chit to S M Krishna regarding the illegal mining scam, the foreign minister's followers are busy paving the way for his re-entry into state politics. Hegde, who retired earlier this month, had said that there was no case against Krishna, and there was no mention of his name in the report on illegal mining.
S M Krishna
This has apparently given Krishna political mileage and his supporters, who are using it as leverage, are arguing for the Congress to go for assembly polls under his leadership. Krishna had steered the party to victory in the 1999 assembly polls being the state president of the party and his tenure as the chief minister was a mixed bag for the Congress.
Second chance?
Power has eluded the party after Krishna went into national politics following a poll debacle in 2004. Although the Congress formed a coalition government with the JD(S), it collapsed in 2006 even before completing two years in power.
Now, Krishna's supporters in the state are making a case for his re-entry into state politics. KPCC president G Parameswar, who is a Krishna loyalist, is leading the charge. "The party is bracing for the elections considering volatility in the state politics. We know the BJP government can fall any moment and we have to be prepared. Our argument is that we must go for the polls under an able leader and Krishna is the most suitable person," said a Congress leader from the Krishna camp.
Getting set
Krishna is said to be calling a luncheon meeting of his confidants where they would discuss the issue shortly.
Sources said that at the meeting, Krishna is expected to call upon his followers to support Parameswar in leading the party to the polls, while asking them to chalk out a plan for his re-entry.
His supporters are already active and during a recent meeting with the coordination committee of the state unit, they are believed to have tried to move a resolution to call upon the party high command to spare Krishna for the state politics. A source said they would try again to move a similar resolution in the state executive meeting, which is to be held later this month.
Battle ready?
Alongside these efforts, the opponent camps are also active, particularly CM aspirants. In the list are Siddaramiah, leader of the opposition in the assembly, Mallikarjuna Kharge, union labour minister and Verappa Moily, minister for company affairs, who all appear to have viewed the development as a threat. They are said to be preparing a counter strategy to check Krishna's advance. "Age is the main factor working against Krishna. We need a dynamic leader to lead the party head-on. I don't think Krishna fits the bill," said a Congress leader from the camp opposing Krishna's re-entry.
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