Dismissing suggestions of the polls throwing up a hung assembly, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today sounded confident of the Congress securing an 'absolute majority' to form its government again in the state.
"In the last polls (in 1999), a hung assembly was predicted. I had said then that we will form the government. This time also, I am reiterating it with more emphasis", Krishna said, two days before the first phase of polls.
Responding to questions at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Press Club of Bangalore, he also ruled out the question of any post-poll alliances, maintaining that the Congress would form the government on its own.
"We are not. Either we are forming the government or... I am sure we will form the government without anybody's support", Krishna said, when asked if there would be a post-poll alliance.
He said "I am fully confident that the Congress will get an absolute majority."
Asked if he would continue to be the Chief Minister for a second term in such an event, he said the Congress Legislature Party would decide it in consultation with the party high command, "in keeping with our past".
{{/usCountry}}Asked if he would continue to be the Chief Minister for a second term in such an event, he said the Congress Legislature Party would decide it in consultation with the party high command, "in keeping with our past".
{{/usCountry}}Krishna also sought to rubbish the criticisms about his changing the constituency from Maddur in his home district of Mandya to Chamarajpet in Bangalore.
"This Chief Minister did not go after constituencies. This Chief Minister is so popular that constituencies were waiting for the Chief Minister", he said, noting that offers came to him to contest from 10 to 12 constituencies.