Bengaluru, Feb 1 (DHNS): Former chief minister S M Krishna quitting the Congress is likely to kick off a fresh row between the loyal and the migrant Congress leaders in the state.

Former MLC H R Srinath, a staunch Krishna follower, has decided to organise a meeting of the loyal Congress leaders in Bengaluru in the first week of February.

“The loyal party leaders are sidelined. They have been neglected in the last four years. Those who migrated to the Congress from outside are enjoying power. It is high time the loyal party leaders unite and raise their voice,” he said. Senior leaders such as C K Jaffer Sharief, B Janardhan Poojary, party legislators, district and block presidents will be invited for the meeting likely to be held on February 5 or 6. The leaders who have been sidelined will chalk out a plan on bringing the matter to the notice of the party high command, he added.

Poojary had hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said that he should leave the party to save its image. Meanwhile, BJP leaders V Srinivas Prasad, R Ashoka and G S Basavaraj called on Krishna at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Basavaraj, a former MP said he considered Krishna his “political guru” and had met him to seek his blessings. He said he was too small a person to invite Krishna to join the BJP. “He is an asset to the nation and his experience should be utilised efficiently”, he said.

Ashoka said it was left to the BJP leadership to extend an invitation to Krishna to join the party. He said it was unfortunate that Krishna had been sidelined in the Congress. Rebel JD(S) legislators N Chaluvarayaswamy, Zameer Ahmed Khan and Puttanna also met Krishna at his residence.

Supporters quit Cong

Seven Congress members of the taluk panchayat along with KPCC member Ravindra Srikantaiah on Monday quit the Congress to support Krishna.

Speaking to reporters at Srirangapatna in Mandya district, Ravindra said he has sent his resignation letter to KPCC president as he was upset over the manner in which the Congress leadership has treated Krishna.

The Congress workers led by KPCC member S Gurucharan held a meeting in Maddur taluk and decided to resign en-mass from the party to back Krishna. Gurucharan said the Congress office-bearers should fax their resignation letters to the KPCC president.