Maharashtra Guv resigns to lead Congress poll battle in Karnataka

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Ending months of speculation, Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna submitted his resignation from his post to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil here this evening to take a plunge in the impending poll battle in his home state of Karnataka.

Maharasthra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is also in the national capital, confirmed the resignation and wished Mr Krishna well.

The former Karnataka chief minister, who had been itching to go back to his home state for quite some time, had earlier got nod of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

All set to resume active politics in Karnataka, Mr Krishna was summoned here from Bangalore by Mrs Gandhi last night. During a meeting with her, the path of his return to active politics in his home state was cleared.

The term of President's rule in Karnataka after fall of the H D Kumaraswamy government expires in May.

Mr Krishna's decision to resign as the Governor is being seen in line with his wish to join the political battle in his home state which would go to polls after the expiry of the President's rule in May.

The Election Commission has said it will take a decision on the Karnataka polls by April 15.

The former Karnataka chief minister was appointed Maharashtra Governor in 2004 but the IT savvy leader has been uncomfortable in the post and had been expressing desire to relinquish it.

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