Ranchi, Dec 27 (UNI) The Jharkhand unit of the Congress has asserted that the party's debacle in the Gujarat election had nothing to do with the affairs in the state.

Brushing aside rumours that the party was getting softer over its two-month ultimatum to the UPA-backed Madhu Koda government, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) president Pradeep Balmuchu said the party's ability to perform was being questioned by the people as it was extending support to the Koda government from outside.

Addressing a press conference here last night, he admitted that the party's image in the state had gone down in the past 14 months, which compelled them to issue a two-month deadline to Mr Koda.

Asked if the party's poor show in Gujarat had forced it to soften its stand, Mr Balmuchu claimed that there would not be any adverse impact of the poll results.

''In Jharkhand people are questioning us about non-performance of the government and not about the RJD or any other party taking active part in the UPA government,'' Mr Balmuchu said.

Congress was taking stock of the feedback received from the block and district level, he said, adding the party was not happy with the pace of the development work initiated by Mr Koda.

''We will make our position known only after January 15,'' the JPCC president said.

He defended the party's support to the Koda government during the No Confidence Motion initiated by the Opposition in the recent Winter Session, saying the Congress did not want to be termed a ''traitor''.

UNI