Bangalore: Seeking a renewed mandate, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today (Mar 18, 2004) set out on a yatra in the first phase of his poll campaign, dismissing the talk of anti-incumbency factor working against his Government.

The blowing of conch signalled the start of "Vijaya Dundubhi" yatra for the poll battle from his residence "Anugraha" this morning as Krishna embarked on the two-day tour carrying hopes of securing another term for the party.

Krishna prayed at "Gali Anjaneya" temple and a dargha as the modified bus carrying his ministerial colleagues and KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) president B Janardhan Poojary, moved.

Before embarking on the tour, Krishna dismissed the talk of anti-incumbency working against his Government, asserting that it could not be there given the kind of governance provided by his Government.

"There can be no anti-incumbency. I said it in Delhi. I am repeating it here," said Krishna, who would cover the districts of Bangalore rural, Tumkur, Hassan and Chikamagalur districts in the first phase.

Dimissing suggestions about the threat from BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) which has been making claims that Karnataka would be the "gateway to the South" for the party, Krishna said, "We have blocked them before. We will block them for ever."

"BJP has never bothered me. It may have bothered others," Krishna said, as he made light of his principal opponent's claim that the State would see the first BJP Government in Karnataka in the Assembly polls.

Krishna said the renewed mandate was required to complete the unfinished tasks.

The high-powered Swaraj Mazda bus has been modified to suit the election campaign needs with a hydraulic podium that could hold six persons at a time.

Krishna's yatra comes close on the heels of "Bharat Uday Yatra" that Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani undertook for five days in Karnataka till early this week but the ruling party has dismissed any link between the two.

In a speech near Gali Anjaneya temple, Krishna spoke of his Government's achievements, saying they had done a lot and want to do a lot more.

He also emphasised the steps taken by his Government to improve the urban infrastructure and said Bangalore was today rated as one of the best cities to live in the world.

Through the yatra, Krishna is hoping to do what he did for the party in the last elections, when his "Panchajanya" tour undertaken as the KPCC president then brought the party back to power, unseating the Janata Dal.