“At 90, I can’t act like a 50-year-old”

Bengaluru: Months after he hinted at  staying away from politics, former Chief Minister, veteran politician and BJP leader S.M. Krishna on Wednesday formally announced that he was retiring from active politics due to his old age.

Speaking to presspersons at Chitrakala Parishat here, Krishna, a nonagenarian, said that he cannot stay in public life anymore owing to his age.

Maintaining that he has voluntarily decided to keep away from active politics as he had crossed 90 years of age, Krishna said as such, the question of the BJP leadership sidelining him does not arise at all.

However, he will give suggestions on organisational matters concerning old Mysuru region if the party leadership asks him, he added.

“Everyone knows my age. At 90, I can’t act like a 50-year-old man,” Krishna said while reiterating that he was staying away from public life due to his age.

“I have called time after a 60-year political career,” Krishna said while dismissing talks that his retirement had something to do with alleged negligence by BJP.

Vishwanath reacts

Meanwhile, BJP MLC A.H. Vishwanath has said that S.M. Krishna, who is a pioneer politician of the State, should not retire from politics.

Speaking to presspersons in Mysuru on Thursday, Vishwanath said that he was among the many politicians who were guided by the former CM. Maintaining that the State needed his guidance at this critical juncture, he said it is unfortunate that the BJP had failed in utilising his services.

Noting that the local BJP leaders believe that Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead them to victory in the forthcoming Assembly polls, the MLC bemoaned  that this attitude among the local BJP leaders may have disappointed Krishna, who after  six decades of colourful political journey, has called it a day.