BANGALORE, February 27: Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel said on Thursday that his government's fate largely depended upon which party came to power at Delhi.He expressed confidence about the United Front (UF) coming to power with the help of Congress or vice versa, but categorically ruled out quitting if the Janata Dal fell short of its expectations.
Speaking to newsmen, he said technically, the result of the Lok Sabha pollswas not a referendum on the performance of the government in the State.
Patel said that he would decide the future political course after the announcement of Lok Sabha results in the State.
Patel said he expected the party to retain at least 16 seats, which it won during the 1996 general elections and added if the party failed, he would own moral responsibility for its poor show. He exuded confidence that his party would perform better than the last election in the State.
When asked what he meant by taking a decision if the Janata Dal failed to win the number of expectedseats, he declined to specify, but hastened to add that he would discuss the issue with senior ministerial colleagues and legal experts. ``If there is poor response from people it would matter,'' he said. ``What I should do, if I don't get it, is left to me''.
He ridiculed press reports about threats to his ministry, describing them as `baseless'. Such talk was going on for the last six months, he said.
``Even those who left JD could not join Lok Shakthi, but ended up with Vedike. Let them first decide where they want to go,'' he said.
The Chief Minister said that the Cabinet meeting scheduled for March 4 would deliberate on various issues including post election developments and developmental activities and take suitable decisions.
Patel later met the Governor with whom he held discussions for about 90 minutes. He said he had not met the Governor for more than a month. The developments in the State, the country and Uttar Pradesh in particular were discussed in the meeting.
Patel, who had earliersaid that he had no plans to restructure the ministry following resignation of four ministers, hinted at a possibility of such a nature. When asked about the size of the recast ministry, he declined to specify and said, ``There will be an efficient working government''. Patel spiked a question on whether he anticipated any Uttar Pradesh like situation in Karnataka, saying, ``It won't be tolerated here''.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
