Cong for early polls in Karnataka
House dissolution likely on Feb 11
| The differences - Krishna's diffidence and the party central leadership's bullish attitude to early elections - notwithstanding, the Karnataka Assembly could be dissolved in the next few days, possibly on February 11 or 12. |
| Krishna met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi before she left for her tour of eastern Uttar Pradesh and consulted her on the matter. |
| "I am not in a position to give any exciting news byte," Krishna told reporters when asked whether his meeting with the Election Commission had anything to do with the dissolution of the Karnataka Assembly. |
| He said the Budget session of the Assembly was on and "at the appropriate time, as and when we take a decision either way, we will inform you". |
| Karnataka has taken a vote-on-account and while Krishna has been cautious on the issue of simultaneous polls, state Congress chief Janardhana Poojary has said more than once that Assembly polls would be held with Lok Sabha elections. The term of the Assembly ends on October 24, 2004. |
| When asked who would decide the issues of advancing elections, party spokesman Jaipal Reddy said the chief minister would, in consultation with the state Congress chief. This, he said was the convention. |
| But in Krishna's case, the arguments for waiting rather than holding the elections early, are strong. Karnataka has been reeling under the twin assault of drought and power shortage. |
| The sharing of the Cauvery river waters continues to be an emotive issue even in Krishna's home district of Mandya, a region populated by rich cotton farmers. |
| Although the opposition in Karnataka is in disarray, especially after the death of Ramakrishna Hegde, Krishna apprehends that the Congress majority in the House might come down, though it will continue to be the single-largest party. If this happens his own position is in danger. |
| Krishna was made the chief minister overriding the claims of the then leader of Congress legislature party, Dharam Singh, who was placated by the high command by directing Krishna to give him the prized PWD portfolio. |
| If the Congress tally in the Assembly comes down, the party will want to change the chief minister and Dharam Singh will be the biggest contender. |
| However, leaders like Poojary argue that the principal opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is in a sorry state. |
| Although former Union minister Anantha Kumar was sent from Delhi to tighten up the organisation in Karnataka, sitting BJP MP, Vijay Sankeshwar was so upset at the way the party was being run that recently he quit the party and resigned from the House as well recently. |
| The Janata Dal is divided between wanting to strengthen itself, and supporting the BJP for a safe route to power. |
| It is unlikely that any meaningful pre poll alliance between Janata Dal (United) and the BJP will be possible in Karnataka. All this favours the Congress. |
| Today, Krishna remarked in lighter vein that constitutionally, it was not mandatory for the chief minister to first call on the poll panel and then dissolve the House. |
| "The Constitution prescribes certain methodology as to how to start the process. It does not start with the chief minister calling on the Chief Election Commissioner," he said. |
| But when asked why the government was delaying dissolving the assembly as the conditions were favo-urable for the ruling party and there was virtually no Opposition, he said, "That will be over simplifying the matter. I will not like to speculate as to what future holds out." |