Quitting Congress is closed chapter, says Krishna

Refusing to budge, former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna on Monday said quitting the Congress was a "closed chapter" even as top leaders of the party tried in vain to win him back into the fold.

Seeking to cash in on the development that stunned the Congress, the BJP too is making attempts to reach out to Krishna, stating that the party will benefit if the octogenarian decides to join it.

"...it is a closed chapter," Krishna told reporters here when questioned about the attempts by the Congress high-command to persuade him to reverse his decision.

On his reported telephonic conversation with Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on an invite for talks with her, Krishna said, "I can speak to Sonia Gandhi anytime. My cordial relationship with her will continue." Taking potshots at the Congress leadership a day after his exit from the party, Krishna had yesterday said it did not need "mass leaders" but only wanted "managers" as he complained of being sidelined due to his age.

"With pain and anguish, I have decided to quit Congress," he had stated, adding that "self-respect" was important for him, but declined to spell out the next step saying he would have to think about it.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today requested Krishna to withdraw his resignation in the interest of the party and the state.