Thursday, January 19 2006 13:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Jan 19,2006) ruled out his resignation in the wake of the political crisis gripping the Congress Janata Dal (JD) Secular (S) coalition Government headed by him following withdrawal of support by the JDS faction led by H D Kumaraswamy.

"I will not step down", Singh told reporters after seeing off the Governor T N Chaturvedi who delivered his address to the joint session of the state legislature, which was boycotted by the legislators of BJP and Kumaraswamy-led JDS saying the Government had lost its majority.

Both parties have already staked claim to form an alternative Government.

Singh also said the governor had not set any timeframe for him to seek confidence vote.

Asked about the letter submitted by Kumaraswamy about withdrawal of support to the government, Singh said JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda had also submitted a letter requesting the Governor not to take cognizance of it.

Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly was holding its meeting to discuss the issue of continuance of the session.