Bangalore: Amidst signs of simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and the State Assembly, the Karnataka Assembly was adjourned sine die this evening (Feb 13, 2004) in an atmosphere of farewell.

As the curtains fell down on the short-duration budget session, members in an apparent election mood, made farewell speeches, even as Chief Minister S M Krishna maintained suspense over his move on dissolution of the Assembly.

"Only time will tell," was Krishna's reply as members spoke of the Assembly elections being held in tandem with Lok Sabha polls.

"The term of the present Assembly ends on October 24. Even I faced the dilemma as to how to bid farewell," Krishna said but hastened to add that only time would tell about the elections. These were all secrets "hidden in the warp of time".

Later, when asked to clarify on his statement in the House, he said, "Whatever I have said, I have said it." Now that the vote-on-account had been passed, he had plenty of time to plan the Parliamentary poll campaign, he said.

Krishna said that he met the Chief Election Commissioner Krishnamurthy in Delhi, primarily to request him to ensure that the examination schedule was not upset by the polls. "As a Chief Minister and a parent, I am quite satisfied that they will not upset the schedule."

The House gave its approval for the vote-on-account for four months ending July 31, 2004 yesterday (Feb 12, 2004) and members posed for a group photo session thereafter.

If the present House has a premature end, it will be the fifth Assembly not to complete its full term.