Former Congress leader and ex-Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday. Krishna was inducted into the party by BJP National President Amit Shah at the party headquarters in Delhi. At the event, Krishna said India had progressed “because of the leadership of PM Modi and Amit Shah”, according to NDTV.

Karnataka BJP President BS Yeddyurappa had announced Krishna’s decision to switch camps on March 14 after he resigned from the Congress on January 29, alleging that the party had sidelined him. “Congress does not want leaders these days, they only want managers who can handle a situation,” said Krishna, who had been a senior member of the Congress in Karnataka and had been with the party for nearly 46 years.

The 84-year-old’s move could spell trouble for the Congress in Karnataka, where Assembly elections will be held next year.