Tuesday, October 18 2005 16:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, who has come under attack from Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) chief H D Deve Gowda over a World Bank report on corruption during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister, today (Oct 18, 2005) asserted that the on-going campaign against him would not 'dent' his image.

"Regardless of how many man hours are spent in trying to tarnish my image, it won't work and dent my image. People of Karnataka know me better", Krishna told reporters here.

"Several programmes given by me when I was the Chief Minister of the state have left a deep imprint in the minds of people. Yashaswini, a healthcare programme for farmers is my brain child", Krishna said.

Asked whether Chief Minister N Dharam Singh was dancing to the tunes of Gowda, he replied with laughter that JDS and Congress are ruling coalition partners.

Asked about his jibes at the Chief Minister by suggesting that a probe into corruption on the basis of a World Bank survey should commence from Public Works Department held by Singh in his ministry, Krishna remarked, "I didn't mean to offend anybody".

"I never attacked anyone. I always based my arguments outside and inside the legislatures on issues. When I read news item that Chief Minister had said he would order an enquiry, I made that comment".

In a politically significant statement on coalition Government, Krishna said, "statesmen like people in Maharashtra" have been running the coalition Government smoothly and effectively.

When asked to comment on the working of the Congress-JDS coalition Government in Karnataka, Krishna, in a guarded response, remarked, "I am afraid I am not qualified to answer this question".

To another question whether the Karnataka polity has been fragmented in the last 17 months after the coalition Government assumed office, he said "I have lost touch with Karnataka since eleven months".

When his attention was drawn to his yesterday's statement that he regretted for not having referred the financial alleged irregularities that took place in Upper Krishna Project during Deve Gowda Chief Ministership to CBI probe and whether he would suggest a probe now, Krishna said "No".

He further said, "When I had power and pen I did not take such a decision. Now I have neither the pen nor power. Who should I tell"?

Krishna chose to keep cards close to his chest on being asked to react "who will decide his continuance as Governor of Maharashtra. Is it he or Congress High Command"? He remarked, "You (scribes) knows all. Why ask me"?

On when he would return to active politics, Krishna said he was already part of the political system, being a constitutional head.