SM Krishna leaves for Bangalore

{image-smkrishna retures_17032008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Mumbai, Mar 17: Former Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna was given a ceremonial send-off today on his return to Bangalore for re-entering active politics in Karnataka. The Government of Maharashtra bade farewell to the former Governor with a ceremonial guard of honour by the Indian Navy at Raj Bhavan this morning. Gun boomed 17 times at Naval Coast Battery when Mr Krishna inspected the Guard of Honour. Soon after the ceremony, he left for the Airport in a Ceremonial Drive and was seen off by the Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, other Ministers and officials.

Mr Krishna who took the oath as Governor on December 6, 2004, resigned on March 8 to return to active politics following the Election Commission declaring that it would hasten the election process in Karnataka, now under President's rule after the resignation of the B S Yediyurappa-led government. The former Governor had been awaiting for the Congress High Command to suitably place him in the party hierarchy in Karantaka before he could step out of Maharashtra to take his new assignment.

Originally, he was to leave for Belgaum on March 14 to kick-off the Party's preparation for the elections from the border district of Karnataka and Maharashtra, from where it was planned for him to reach Bangalore by bus. Goa Governor S C Jamir took additional charge as Governor of the State on March 9.

UNI