Senior Congress leader S M Krishna has blamed party leadership for the debacle in Karnataka Assembly polls, saying not allowing him to contest the poll and lead from the front was a "grave blunder".

"My not contesting was a crucial mistake. I would have led from the front and the situation would have changed," he said, adding not allowing him to lead from the front was a "grave blunder".

Asked whether it was his personal decision not to contest in the election, the former chief minister, who quit as Maharashtra Governor to return to active politics in

Karnataka ahead of the poll, told Outlook magazine that "it was worked out that way or it was agreed that I should stay away from the fray".

"Yes, there is a huge feeling among party workers that had they (party leadership) declared me as the chief ministerial candidate, the party would have performed better," Krishna said.