New Delhi: The Congress high command on January 20 ruled out changing Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna and snubbed the dissidents wanting a repeat of Maharashtra example saying "their campaign is worse than the Opposition campaign".

"Krishna is heading a stable government and doing well against odds," party general secretary Vayalar Ravi said.

His remarks appear to set at rest speculation over the fate of Krishna following a renewed campaign by dissidents for his ouster after the change in Maharashtra.

Ravi, who is also party incharge in Karnataka, said "there is no question of entertaining dissidence in Karnataka".

Stating that the Krishna government was facing "serious crisis" for the last three to four months in the wake of Cauvery water issue and the abduction and death of former Karnataka Minister H Nagappa, he said it should be the collective effort of the Cabinet to face the situation.

"This is the time for Congressmen to unite and work together as the election year is approaching," Ravi said, adding "there is no room for any quarrel and reason to quarrel".

Asserting that the dissidence activities would not affect the party and the governments, which came following change in Maharashtra, Ravi said that the "change in Maharashtra was exceptional".

Ravi's assertion follows reported criticism by former Union Minister C K Jaffer Sharief and some others over Krishna's handling of the state affairs.

However, Ravi said, that a change in the leadership of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee was "on the cards" for the last two to three months. This was necessitated as the incumbent Allam Veerabhadrappa had expressed his desire to relinquish the post.

The party had already held discussions at various levels and the new name was likely to be announced in a couple of days, he said.

Patty sources said the central leadership was in no mood to encourage or entertain dissidence against state governments ruled by the party.

The high command was closely watching the leadership of Pradesh Congress Committees and the manifesto committee was looking into the functioning of the governments, Ravi said, adding the central leadership was keen that the party ruled state governments pay more attention towards developmental activities.

He said the central leadership was also "appreciative" of the recent Global Investors' Meet organised by Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony.

PTI