Krishna returns to bolster Congress' chances in K'taka

Bangalore, Mar 5 (UNI) Giving the much needed fillip to the morale of the Congress to regain power in its bastion - Karnataka, Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna is all set to return to active politics in his home state.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today summoned Mr Krishna to Delhi and held a marathon meeting to finalise the former Chief Minister's return to Karnataka politics, party sources said.

The decision of the Congress supremo comes in the wake of the Election Commission's clear indication yesterday that elections to the dissolved State Assembly could be held in May, before the six-month period of President's rule ended.

Mr Krishna was likely to meet President Pratibha Patil this evening and tender his resignation.

He was appointed Maharashtra Governor in 2004 after the Congress lost power in this Southern State, which had remained its citadel since independence.

Sources close to Mr Krishna said the Harvard-educated veteran politician had sounded the party high command some time ago that he was not interested in the gubernatorial post anymore and wanted to return to active politics.

Mr Krishna, who wanted to make Bangalore the 'Singapore of India', was known for putting Bangalore on the world IT map by giving unstinted support to the industry.

However, the farming community was not so impressed with his achievements, resulting in the Congress failing to retain power in the 2004 general elections.

It was an irony, though, that the party lost its base despite Mr Krishna, who had led the campaign then, hailing from the strong Vokkaliga (farming) community.

Top leaders in the State, including KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, welcomed the return of the IT savvy leader and able administrator.

However, party sources indicated that top leaders in Karnataka were uncomfortable with the return of Mr Krishna, who is certain to steal the limelight from the present leadership once he is back in State politics.

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