Cong leaders still unsure, Krishna points to tickets fiasco

Bangalore, April 27: There will not be a walkover for the

in Karnataka. This was clear during an interaction with senior Congress leader and former chief minister SM Krishna today.

Krishna refused to predict which party would come to power in Karnataka, while he acknowledged that there was no catalyst for the party to lead it to victory.

"It's difficult to expect people's verdict," he said at a meet-the-press programme today.

The former chief minister had led the party government between 1999-2004.

Krishna said in 1999 when the Congress recorded a landslide victory, the then in-charge of the party's Karnataka affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad led the party's efforts from the front.

"Some catalysts like these must emerge...gathering all of us together and take us forward," Krishna said.

One of the reasons for the Congress sorrow could be distribution of tickets. Krishna attacked the candidate-selection process and said the selection panel this time had close to 60 members -- including himself -- which he termed as "unwieldy".

"I was very surprised to see the list (with nearly 60 names). Can we finalise candidates with such a big panel? That's why I did not go to the (panel's) meeting," Krishna said. "It (the big list) left me cold."

The veteran Congress leader said he had taken part in the selection process since 1972 and the panels then used to have 15-16 members, with serious discussions on each candidate.

He also dismissed media speculation that he would be a probable chief ministerial candidate, saying he was a foot soldier of the party and was making attempt to garner support for the outfit in his own capacity.

Elections to the 224-member Karnataka legislative assembly are to be held on May 5 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 8.

OneIndia News