The Hindu : National : “Mid-term polls early next year”

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Sunday, Aug 26, 2007
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“Mid-term polls early next year”

Special Correspondent

Says BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu

HYDERABAD: As the impasse between the Left and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition over the India-United States nuclear deal continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said the country is headed for mid-term elections “any time after March next year.”

Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu is categorical that the differences between the Left and the ruling coalition have reached a “flashpoint,” a stage from where the two sides cannot go back. “The two sides are biding time as they are not prepared for elections at this moment. But there is a certainty of elections being held next year,” he said.

Mr. Naidu told reporters on Saturday that there was disagreement between the Left and the Congress on several major issues, including economic policies, foreign policy, labour and pension reforms and disinvestment. But they came together on the plank of opposing the BJP and were encouraging “vote bank” politics.

‘Unnatural alliance’

While the Left parties were trying to pass the blame on the Congress, a section of the Congress leaders was feeling that the alliance with the Left harmed the party’s prospects. “This is an unnatural alliance between the parties which do not see eye to eye when it comes to policies,” he said.

Mr. Naidu sought to differentiate between the opposition being expressed by the BJP and the Left parties on the nuclear deal. While the Left parties were “blindly opposing” the U.S. the BJP, which was in favour of strong bilateral relations, was opposed to the way the deal was tilted heavily in favour of the United States.

‘Upper hand for U.S.’

The content of the deal made it clear that the U.S. would have an upper hand and the U.S. President would be able to recall the fuel supplies as and when the deal broke.

“The Communists are not in favour of India going nuclear. The Congress and Communists castigated the Vajpayee Government when it conducted Pokhran II.” Replying to questions, he said the Left parties were more interested in “sound bytes” than “real bite.”

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