The Central leadeship had advised Patel to postpone the Assembly session and settle amicably in the JDLP the dissidents' demand for change of his leadership.

Patel told reporters this evening that it is technically and legally not possible to postpone the session, for which the governor has already issued a notification, and made it clear that it was not an act of defiance.He said he has explained this to the party national president, Sharad Yadav, who accepted the position, and also added that the central leadership has not set any time-frame for him to convene the JDLP meet.

Firing afresh salvo at dissident MLAs seeking an emergent JDLP meeting to prove his strength, Patel said it could not be held during the session for ``various reasons'' and that senior ministers advised him in this regard.``Holding JDLP during the session will not be wise,'' said Patel, who had earlier maintained that the legislature party meet would be convened during the session.

Patel asserted that he was ready to discuss everything, including the leadership issue in JDLP and prove his majority but the dissidents cannot fix the date and time.

Patel said seven of the 46 MLAs who submitted a memorandum to him yesterday expressing lack of faith in his leadership, had denied having signed the petition, and had pledged their loyalty to him.

He replied in the negative when asked if he would seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly, saying ``there may not be an occasion for this. But if the need arises, we will do it.''

Meanwhile, senior ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have intensifiedefforts for a patch up between the two warring factions in a bid to avoid a showdown and keep the party and government intact.

Siddaramaiah, who had recently led the dissidents against Patel, told reporters today: ``we have decided to defuse the crisis to save the party and the government.''

Late last night, on his arrival from Delhi, Gowda, who is spearheading the dissidents' activities, said the MLAs' opinion could not be brushed aside.Patel, who is going to Delhi tomorrow evening to attend the first meeting of the Cauvery River Authority, said he would also discuss the issue with the party's Central leaders there.

Patel also did not rule out the possiblity of meeting Deve Gowda. But the meeting did not materialise on Sunday.