In a very brief address, he said, "I am elated and this welcome has inspired me. The high command (Congress) has sent me here on a specific mission. I am here to build the party and ensure that it returns to power in the state. All party workers should work together and forget about the differences. I call upon all the party workers to go door to door and tell people about the achievements of the UPA government".
Krishna particularly asked his party workers to tell the people about the farmer friendly schemes of the UPA government. It was a clear indication that Krishna wanted to be seen as a leader of the masses and not just of the IT sector, for which he was criticised during his tenure as chief minister.
Congress party leaders such as former chief minister N Dharam Singh and former ministers D K Shivakumar, G Parameshwar were present when Krishna arrived. However, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mallikarjuna Kharge was absent. This led to talk of differences between Kharge and Krishna. Kharge was not available for comment, but his close aides dismissed this as media gibberish. They said that Krishna's arrival was not a KPCC function and hence there was no need for the president of the party to be present.
Image: S M Krishna waves to his supporters after his arrival in Bengaluru.
Also read: S M Krishna to bolster Congress poll campaign in Karnataka
Advertisement
