S M Krishna who didn't matter in the Karnataka bypolls

He was given a royal welcome by none other the BJP's national president Amit Shah. In Karnataka, the BJP claimed that it had gained a mass leader who could influence voters in the Cauvery belt. But all the hail and praise on S M Krishna fell flat on Thursday. Even as results of Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls indicated that S M Krishna made absolutely no difference to the BJP's vote share, the party continued to defend him.

"It is not right to blame S M Krishna. He took part only in one rally. Just because we lost here, it doesn't mean that he is not influential. He can't effect change everywhere," said B S Yeddyurappa, the President of State BJP unit. Even as he conceded defeat in both the assembly constituencies, Yeddyurappa maintained that the support of leaders like S M Krishna and Srinivas Prasad will help the BJP bounce back in 2018 assembly polls.

The grand old Vokkaliga leader was of little relevance in the bypolls with Lingayat and Dalit votes making all the difference in Gundlupet and Nanjangud. While a silent vote of the JD(S) that went to the Congress helped the ruling party win big. For the BJP, the dilemma of the Lingayat and Dalit voters in both constituencies became a bane.

The BJP is still hopeful that S M Krishna may influence voters in the Cauvery belt where Vokkaliga votes matter in the upcoming 2018 polls but for now, S M Krishna made absolutely no difference to the BJP.

Meanwhile, Srinivas Prasad who quit the Congress and contested on a BJP ticket in Nanjangud announced that he would retire from active politics but would continue to support the BJP.

OneIndia News