Maintaining that BJP is the only disciplined party in the State, senior leader and former CM S.M. Krishna has said that he had to quit Congress as he was ignored by the party.

Addressing a press meet at the State BJP headquarters in Malleswaram yesterday, the first one since his joining the BJP, Krishna said that he had faced a lot of mental discomfiture in the 46 years that he was in the Congress. Now, he has come out of it and joined the BJP which is known for its discipline.

Declaring that he had met BJP National President Amit Shah nine months ago, Krishna lashed out at AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

Expressing displeasure at the way he was sacked as External Affairs Minister, he said that the same thing was repeated in the case of V. Sreenivasa Prasad, who also quit the Congress to join BJP. Hitting out at Kharge’s remark that those who enjoyed power in the Congress, shouldn’t have stood in front of BJP National President Amit Shah, Krishna questioned Kharge whether he would not stand before Rahul Gandhi, who was much younger to him (Kharge).

Asserting that he had not joined the BJP for any position or gains, Krishna said that he would work for the party as an ordinary worker. Stating that he would campaign for the BJP in Nanjangud and Gundlupet by-poll, Krishna lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his works.

Pointing out that demonetisation was one of the darest decision of Modi, Krishna said that Modi’s surgical strike on Pakistan had dealt a severe blow to the neighbouring country.

During his address, Krishna flip-flopped saying ‘Nimma’ BJP on a couple of occasions, when he was corrected by former Minister and MLC, Ramachandragowda. Earlier, Krishna was given a warm welcome by State BJP President B.S. Yeddyurappa, former DCM R. Ashok, MLAs Basavaraj Bommai, Narayanaswamy and a host of   other leaders.