ELECTIONS

Early polls? S M Krishna meets CEC

By Onkar Singh in Delhi
February 09, 2004

Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on Monday met Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy amid growing speculation that the state would go in for assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha election.

The term of the Karnataka assembly term ends on October 24, 2004.

"I am student of constitutional law and have taught law in a local college. The Constitution describes the methodology as to how the process should start. It certainly does not start with the chief minister calling on chief election commissioner. This was a normal courtesy call on the new chief of the Election Commission. I am sorry I am not in a position to give any exciting news byte," Krishna told reporters.

Karnataka Congress unit chief Janardhan Poojary had told newsmen that Krishna was contemplating dissolution of the assembly on February 12 and go in for early polls.

"I know that he (Poojary) had said that. As and when we decide either way we would let you know," he said in response to a question whether he agreed with the assessment of Poojary.

Asked if he was having second thoughts on dissolution of the assembly he said that there was no question of having second thoughts because he did not have the first thoughts on that as yet.

"My Budget session is going on right now and we are discussing it," he said, avoiding direct answer.

Asked why the government was delaying on taking a decision on dissolving the assembly as the conditions were favourable for the ruling party and virtually there was no opposition, he said, "That would be oversimplifying the matter. I would not like to speculate as to what future holds out."

He said that the party was fully prepared and geared for the Lok Sabha polls.

Onkar Singh in Delhi
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