Commenting on the resignation of some of his colleagues, Patel, who is here in connection with the finalisation of annual plan for 1999-2000 with the planning commission, said, ``what can I do to please them?''

He explained that he had undertaken the cabinet expansion consulting senior Janata Dal leaders including former Prime Minister H D Deve gowda. Though Gowda did not give his preferences, he was certainly consulted, he said.

When asked if any more ministers would be resigning, he said there were a few more who wanted to resign. State Employment and Training Minister Varade Gowda had resigned from his post yesterday.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the president of the state Janata Dal later told newspersons that he had spoken to two ministers who wanted to quit and added that he was confidentthere would be no more resignations.

There was no crisis, both in the party and the government, he maintained. Siddaramaiah, a focal point of the dissidence, evaded a direct reply when asked to comment if the expansion of the cabinet had helped the party, saying that it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister.

There was bound to have some dissatisfaction in such an exercise undertaken due to political compulsions, he said.

When asked about former Union Minister C M Ibrahim's threat to review the minorities support to the Janata Dal in Karnataka, the deputy Chief Minister said the government had done many things the welfare of the minorities like increasing the equity of minorities development corporationto Rs 50 crore from Rs 15 crore and reservation for jobs as well as in local bodies.

Ibrahim should realise that the JD Was in power even before he joined the party and would continue to do so, he maintained. About the outbursts of former horticulture Minister D T Jayakumar, Siddaramaiah said hewould be talking to him on his return to Bangalore tomorrow.