Karnataka   

Congress will do well: Krishna

High hopes: The former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna addressing a press conference in Belgaum on Monday.

Belgaum: The former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna has said that he will own “responsibility” if the party does not fare well in the hustings, even as he expressed confidence that the Congress will form a government on its own.

Asked at a press conference here on Monday who could claim credit or own responsibility for the Congress’s performance, Mr. Krishna replied with a smile: “If the party fails to win, I will own responsibility; if it succeeds, then somebody else can claim the credit.”

He believed that people would take a wise decision by electing a party which promised political stability.

It had been proved that a stable government was necessary for progress and development.

On what would be the role of the Congress in the event of a hung Assembly, again, Mr. Krishna said the party would have to take a position. It was not the Congress that forced the elections on the people. It was the Janata Dal (S) that betrayed the Congress to join hands with BJP, and then the JD(S) and BJP parted ways. The Congress did not betray any party. The option of sitting in the Opposition was open in the event of a hung verdict.

As far as who would be party’s chief ministerial candidate if the party won the polls, Mr. Krishna said he would be elected by the Congress Legislature Party. “There are many competent leaders in Congress,” he said. On the controversies and rebellion, Mr. Krishna said he had no role in the selection of candidates. But once the party high command finalised the list, everyone should close ranks and fight unitedly for the success of the party.

Asked whether the people of the State could see him play a role at the Centre after the Karnataka elections (as he is not a contender for the Chief Minister’s post), Mr. Krishna replied in the negative.

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