Thursday, January 19 2006 19:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi says he has asked the Chief Minister N Dharam Singh to prove his majority on or before January 27.

"I have requested the chief minister Dharam Singh to prove that his government enjoys a majority in the house on or before January 27, as this is one clear week from the day that I was informed that a question has come up on whether the government has a majority, and thus, in my view, constitute a reasonable period of time to permit the Chief Minister to prove his majority", Chaturvedi told reporters.

Chaturveri said he felt January 27 was 'quite appropriate' taking into account the holidays and the planned programme of the house.

He said the view point of the government was that it should be held not earlier than January 30.

Chaturvedi said he had also requested the assembly speaker to enable the chief minister to move a vote of confidence in the house on or before January 27.

He said he would like to assure the people of Karnataka and all political parties, that all decisions would be taken in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, impartially, and without fear or favour, in consonance with the "oath that I had the privilege to take upon my assumption of the office of the governor of the state".

Chaturvedi said a situation had arisen in which 'doubts have been raised' on whether the government headed by Dharam Singh as chief minister and M P Prakash as deputy chief minister enjoyed a majority in the assembly.