Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today (May 13, 2004) submitted his resignation to Governor T N Chaturvedi as the Congress faced the clear prospect of a defeat in the State Assembly polls.

As the results poured in clearly indicating that the Congress was on its way out, Krishna drove to Raj Bhavan and handed over his resignation in the afternoon.

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"I accept total defeat. I accept full responsibility", a composed Krishna told reporters at Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation.

Asked if the Congress would have a tie-up with Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to prevent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from coming to power in Karnataka, Krishna said, "There are so many possibilities. All possibilities will be explored."

But to a similar question on joining hands with JD-S, he said, "It is all fluid. The ball is in the honourable Governor's court."

Queried what led to the Congress defeat in Karnataka, he replied, "Perhaps, the people of Karnataka did not like my face."

"I have accepted the resignation of the Chief Minister and asked him to continue till an alternative arrangement is put in place," Chaturvedi said.

A sole consolation for Krishna was his victory from Chamarajpet in Bangalore, to which he had shifted from Maddur in his home district of Mandya.

As the State headed towards a hung Assembly, the ruling Congress conceded the defeat, admitting that the results were "unexpected" and it was a setback to them.