SM Krishna praises PM Narendra Modi's demonetisation move, says Congress needs to be rebuilt, but leadership not serious

Bengaluru: Former Congress leader SM Krishna, who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, opined that the grand old party needs to be rebuilt from the ground to the top, but he sees no seriousness in the leadership.

Unhappy with the Congress top brass, Krishna said, “There is no connect between the Congress leadership and the rank and file of the party.”

When asked to comment on his decision of ending his decades-long association with the Congress, the former external affairs minister categorically stated, “All that I needed was respect and periodical consultations, I never demanded any position.”

Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the newly-inducted BJP leader said, “Modi ji has zero tolerance towards corruption, I was impressed with this,” adding that he also supported the historic demonetisation move.

At 84, the former former Karnataka chief minister had left the Congress on January 29 saying the party didn't need him any longer.

Krishna joined the BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah in the national capital.

The development could help strengthen BJP election campaign for the Karnataka assembly elections due next year.

The BJP has been struggling to make inroads in south Karnataka, where Krishna is an influential leader among the dominant Vokkaliga community.