Didn't expect disloyalty from S.M. Krishna: NCP

Day after former Congress leader S.M. Krishna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) dubbed his decision as 'opportunism' saying that a person of his reputation was not expected to be disloyal and selfish.

"It is shedding out loyalty and jumping the boat from one to another. This is nothing but opportunism. A person of his level of maturity and experience is not expected to be disloyal and selfish. I am afraid the BJP will not be able to accommodate him up to his expectations," NCP leader Majeed Memon told ANI.

Another NCP leader Tariq Anwar also criticised Krishna's decision, saying that his move would not affect the Congress.

"S.M. Krishna was not politically active, so, his exit from the Congress and joining the BJP will not affect the grand old party," Anwar told ANI.

Krishna yesterday joined the BJP and stated that he would like to rededicate himself to the cause of the nation under the saffron party's banner.

"I am deeply humbled that I am joining a political set-up which has given a great glory to the country and I would like to rededicate myself to the cause of the nation under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party," Krishna told the media here.

Krishna had put off his plan last week after the death of his sister.

84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not.

Krishna, who was the chief minister Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012.

He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.