Watch: SM Krishna says Congress sidelined him because of age

A day after quitting the Congress, former party leader SM Krishna revealed why he took the step in a formal announcement on Sunday.

"What pained me was how Congress sidelined a loyal worker and cited my age (as reason) for sidelining me," Krishna said. "Age is a state of mind and it shouldn't be a criteria for deciding what a situation needs," he said.

Krishna also said, "Congress doesn't need mass leaders these days, they only want managers who can handle a situation."

According to PTI, Krishna said he told Central leaders that he stands by his resignation. Krishna also said that he was yet to decide on the next step but had no plans to meet PM Narendra Modi. 

#WATCH: Former Karnataka CM SM Krishna,who resigned from Cong says the party depends on managers & doesn't want time tested members like him pic.twitter.com/JlRvHUnsvC

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 29, 2017

On Saturday, Krishna tendered his resignation from the party membership. In a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he wrote, "I am herewith tendering my resignation to the primary membership of the Congress Party."

The 84-year-old first became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1968 from Mandya. Krishna led the Congress to victory in Karnataka in 1999 and served as the chief minister till 2004. He also served as the governor of Maharashtra for the period 2004-2008. Krishna was also made the minister for external affairs in Dr. Manmohan Singh's cabinet, and resigned from it in 2012. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the reason for Krishna's resignation was due to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's style of functioning which had left several senior leaders disenchanted with the party functionaries. "Disenchanted with the Siddaramaiah's style of functioning, senior leaders are quitting the party. It is sending wrong signals to the voters and people of Karnataka. SM Krishna has earned very good reputation and was widely popular more among the urban voters. He was being neglected by the party and was not considered for any of the activities held in Karnataka," BJP leader S Prakash told ANI.

Expressing shock over Krishna's resignation, former Karnataka chief minister Dharam Singh said that the incident shed light on the internal disturbance that has been percolating within the state party unit. When asked whether the resignation reflects internal disturbance within the Karnataka unit of the Congress Party, Singh told ANI, "It is possible, but it shouldn't have happened."

The veteran party leader said that Krishna, being a reasonable man, wouldn't have taken the decision without any consideration and added that he would meet him to find out the exact reason. "I am unable to understand as to why he suddenly resigned, given the fact we have elations coming in five states. I will meet him tomorrow and will talk to him. He is a reasonable person there might be a reason behind his decision," he said.

With ANI inputs.