Bangalore: It is now Krishna versus Krishna in the state Congress. The denial of Rajya Sabha re-nomination to former chief minister SM Krishna has led to a revolt in the Karnataka Congress. The Congress high command has fielded its spokesperson and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore professor MV Rajeev Gowda instead of party stalwart SM Krishna.
The denial of ticket to Krishna has sent shock waves across the party lines and his supporters are openly attacking state agriculture minister Krishna Byregowda for this. Krishna Byregowda claims that he is close to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. He himself is an 'outsider' and defected to the Congress with the blessings of SM Krishna, ten years ago.
According to some insiders he refused to contest in the recent Lok Sabha elections from Bangalore North fearing defeat. Party veteran and former union minister MV Rajashekharan has openly attacked Gowda for the humiliation meted out to SM Krishna. After meeting SM Krishna, he said "it is not a good sign. What has happened is wrong. Krishna Byregowda is behind this."
A section in the Congress claims that Krishna Byregowda has climbed the ladder of success by dropping Rahul Gandhi's name. They allege that he backed Rajeev Gowda to reduce the clout of S M Krishna in the party.
Rajeev Gowda is known as an arm chair politician and lost even the Congress primary from Bangalore North Lok Sabha seat. He finished third with just 69 votes. His nomination to the Rajya Sabha under 'Vokkaliga' quota has angered majority Congress leaders in Karnataka.
The murmurs against Rahul Gandhi's style of functioning are growing louder within the state unit and some are even suggesting that the top leaders must take high command to task for nominating a light weight like Rajeev Gowda to the upper house of the Parliament.
The Lingayats who form almost 20 per cent of the state population are also upset over not getting even a single ticket either for the Rajya Sabha or for the Legislative Council. They have decided to lodge their protest with the high command.
A veteran Congress leader from Karnataka said "we have lost the Lok Sabha election because of the so-called Rahul Gandhi brigade. It seems they have not learnt anything. They are still calling the shots. If Sonia Gandhi fails to rein in these self serving elements, party will be completely ruined."
According to reports, both chief minister Siddaramaiah and the KPCC president Dr. G Parameshwara are also unhappy with the nomination of Rajeev Gowda and informed SM Krishna that they have nothing to do with this.
However, Krishna Byregowda supporters are claiming that he has nothing to do with this. Some say that S M Krishna was responsible for his defeat in the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Bangalore South.
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