Bangalore: Seeking to downplay the exit of senior leader S Bangarappa from the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today (Mar 4, 2004) asserted that the party had "weathered many storms" and said it would secure a "working majority" in the Assembly polls.

"I cannot understand the double standards. When 11 persons with a successful track record (11 AIPJD MLAs) join us, you don't consider it a big event but the 'exclusion' of father and son from the party was considered as such," he said.

Speaking to reporters, Krishna also ridiculed the claim of Bangarappa that he would decimate the Congress saying, "One person cannot wipe out Congress. If somebody thinks he is as big as that, history has shown how small one can be also."

Asked if the Congress was "worried" over the desertions, he shot back, "certainly not". "We are strong and getting stronger among ourselves," he said.

To a query, he admitted that it was a "mistake" on the part of the party to have taken back Bangarappa who has left the party for the third time in the latest episode. "But it is a sterling quality in Congress to excuse. We will not repeat the same mistake."

On the claim of party president B Janardhan Poojary that his party would secure three-fourths majority in the polls, Krishna said he shared his optimism but hastened to add that he would not specify the numbers, as he never did it.

"But then, don't project as if we (Krishna and Poojary) are at loggerheads. In that case, I will reiterate what Poojary has said," he said in a lighter vein.

Krishna said he had suspicion that, "He (Bangarappa) might (leave the party) by his body language which betrays so many things."

Asked if he blamed BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) for the desertions from the Congress, he said, "Why should I. They are basically a trading party." The BJP had "outshone (in trading) and they have among the best traders available in the country," he said in sarcastic dig at that party.

On the controversy over alleged telephone tapping following a charge made by former Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily that phones of Krishna and 60 Congress leaders were being bugged, he said enquiry was still on from the State Government side. The final report had not been received.

"It (telephone tapping) was not my feeling. It is what others perceive. I have taken notice of that and asked my department to look into it," he said.