I resigned to make way for younger people to take over: SM Krishna

New Delhi: SM Krishna, who resigned from the post of the External Affairs Minister on Friday, said he quit to make way for younger people to take over. "I called the Prime Minister and conveyed my thanks for the kind of support and leadership he provided to the MEA. I have submitted my resignation. Youngsters must take over the responsibilities. I felt it was time up for me to make way for younger blood to take over," Krishna said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday accepted the resignation of SM Krishna as the Union External Affairs Minister, before the Cabinet goes for a major reshuffle on Sunday, October 28. Speaking about his efforts to improve ties between India and Pakistan in his tenure, Krishna said, "I made two trips to Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar came to Delhi. That certainly did improve the relationship between the two countries."

The timing of Krishna's resignation has raised a lot of eyebrows within the government as Spanish king Juan Carlos I is in India and the Ministry of External Affairs play a crucial role during the visit of a foreign dignitary.

SM Krishna said he made efforts to improve the India, Pakistan ties during his tenure as the External Affairs Minister.

There was a speculation that Krishna would be dropped in Sunday's reshuffle as there have been several controversies involving him including a Lokayukta report against him and his England tour to watch tennis matches at Wimbledon.

This also comes a day after a special Lokayukta court ordered its police to probe the involvement of SM Krishna, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Devegowda in the alleged Mysore-Bangalore Express Highway scam.

Certain irregularities have been reported to have taken place in the acquisition of farmers' land for the project that was being developed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited (NICE). A private complaint was filed by social activist TJ Abraham specifying the role of each of the persons named in the case.

Also See

• PM accepts SM Krishna's resignation; Soni, Wasnik too offer to quit ahead of reshuffle

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)