Krishna quits as external affairs minister

Sources say he may be given charge of reviving the Congress party in Karnataka; guessing game on about his successor

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna resigned yesteday, two days ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle, triggering speculation about his successor to the key position.

Krishna (80), a former chief minister of Karnataka, sent his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said an official in the PMO.

Party time? SM Krishna was a former chief minister of Karnataka. File pic

The cabinet reshuffle is expected around 10 am on Sunday before the PM Singh leaves for Himachal Pradesh. Krishna was appointed the country’s foreign minister after the UPA returned to power in May 2009. Krishna, sources said, may be given charge of reviving the Congress party in Karnataka ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Krishna’s resignation has fuelled speculation about his likely successor. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, also a former minister of state for external affairs, is widely considered the front-runner for the prized post.
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