SMK prefers quiet welcome on comeback

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Former external affairs minister, S.M. Krishna, who will return to the city on Friday afternoon, will be greeted by party leaders and workers at his residence

Sources said Mr Krishna is not keen on a grand reception which will disrupt traffic in the city. Earlier, Congress workers from Mandya had decided to make Mr Krishna’s comeback a big political event.
The former chief minister has reportedly sent a message that holding processions would inconvenience the public.

A meeting of Mandya District Congress leaders held at the DCC office on Thursday felt that the return of Mr Krishna would be a prelude to the party’s return to power in the state, so the event should be given its share of importance and be celebrated by party workers.

The Congress leaders and workers, at the meeting presided over by MLA, K.B. Chandrashekar, had called on party workers and block presidents to be present at the airport to give Mr Krishna a rousing welcome.

Distraught over the infighting among top leaders in the Congress, party workers were feeling disheartened and felt the return of Mr Krishna would provide the right opportunity to rejuvenate the party. Party workers from Byatarayanapura—represented by Congress MLA Krishna Byregowda— had even planned to take him in a procession to his residence after he entered the constituency.
Mr Krishna was also expected to visit the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on Queen’s Road in the city before going to his Sadashivanagar residence. Sources said that on his request, all these programmes have been cancelled.

The veteran Congressman who hails from Mandya, had resigned as external affairs minister last week during the Union Cabinet reshuffle to make way for younger leaders.
Sources said the Congress high command also wants him to lead the election campaign in Karnataka which is scheduled to go to polls in May next year.

The Congress senses a bright chance of returning to power in the state where ruling BJP leaders are embroiled in a series of land and illegal mining scams.
In 1999, Mr Krishna had led the Congress to victory in the Assembly polls and later became chief minister.