Monday, January 31 2005 13:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Rejecting criticism that he bowed to the dictates of his coalition partner JD-S (Janata Dal-Secular), Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh yesterday (Jan 30, 2005) said that he was not functioning under pressure from any quarters.

"I am functioning on my own in balanced terms. No body is pressurising me," an angry Singh told reporters here after his one-to-one meeting with CWC (Congress Working Committee) member A K Antony, in charge of Karnataka affairs.

Singh spiked allegations by a section of Congress leaders that the image of the party was on the downslide as the JD-S has tightened its grip over the Government, saying, "What happened in Bidar. Did we not annex the seat, which was in BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) custody for five terms."

The Congress won the Bidar Lok Sabha seat in the by-poll held last year.

Sources close to Singh said that the Chief Minister briefed Antony on the initiatives taken by his Government and hiccups faced in running the coalition to the former Kerala Chief Minister, who had experience of running a coalition Government in the neighbouring State.

Asked about the demand for calling off ties with JD-S, he said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had entrusted him with the task for running the coalition Government.

"It is for the Congress President to decide on these issues," he said.