Mysuru: Even as certain section is holding the Congress government in the state in a way responsible for exit of former chief minister S M Krishna from the Congress party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that S M Krishna is a politically prominent personality and efforts are being made to convince him to return to the party.

“Even the Congress high command is in talks with SM Krishna,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his arrival at the Mandakalli Airport, to inaugurate the Adivasi conference in the city on Wednesday.

Siddaramaiah, opining that Krishna was never sidelined in the party, said that the Congress leaders have always treated everyone equally, whether it is an elderly, a youth or a woman. “Krishna was invited to all the crucial party meetings and he was present in the co-ordination meeting along with senior leader Jaffer Sharief. The party has always considered suggestions from senior leaders. I will try and convince SM Krishna to change his mind,” said the CM.

The CM said that the state budget will be presented during second week of March.