The Hindu : Karnataka News : Krishna supporters in Mandya district euphoric

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 07, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

Krishna supporters in Mandya district euphoric

Staff Correspondent

They plan to accord a grand reception for him

‘Krishna’s presence will add strength to the party’
Congress did not fare well in Mandya in the last elections

MYSORE: It was the news Mandya district Congress workers were eagerly looking forward to hear, and after months of speculation it was officially declared on Wednesday that the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna would return to State politics, and the workers are understandably jubilant.

Although party workers in the sugar bowl of the State are not aware when their leader will visit Mandya, his home district, they have started making preparations to accord a rousing reception to Mr. Krishna. The former Chief Minister is a native of Somanahalli village, near Maddur town.

“Mr. Krishna’s return to active politics calls for a big celebration. Our workers have been distributing sweets since yesterday after he met the President and submitted his resignation (as Maharashtra Governor). I am going to Bangalore to find out his itinerary upon his return to the State. We have a big surprise for Mr. Krishna,” said Mandya district Congress president Chandrashekar.

Talking to The Hindu, he said the party workers were euphoric. “We had been requesting him (to return to State politics) whenever he used to pay personal visits to the State,” Mr. Chandrashekar said.

Describing Mr. Krishna’s return as a shot in the arm to the State Congress, Mr. Chandrashekar said the district party leaders would meet to decide the date of the grand reception.

“The moment we had been waiting for three years has arrived. So, we do not want the occasion to go unnoticed. We want to show our admiration and loyalty to the leader whose governance is still remembered in the country,” he said.

Mr. Krishna’s return is being closely watched by all non-Congress parties, especially in view of coming elections.

“His presence will add strength to the party,” Mr. Chandrashekar said.

Mandya was considered a stronghold of the Congress, but the party was drubbed in the last elections following Mr. Krishna’s decision to contest the Assembly election from Chamarajpet in Bangalore.

In the last election, the Congress lost the battle in four constituencies by small margins.

“I lost in K.R. Pet constituency by 2,500 votes against the former Speaker Krishna,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka