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UPA-NDA contrast a major poll issue: Advani

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani said here on Sunday that the sharp contrast between the National Democratic Alliance and the UPA would be a major issue in next year’s Parliamentary elections.

The BJP leader told journalists that the NDA was coherent and united while the UPA was divided. The Communists, who supported the UPA government, differed with the Congress on economic and foreign policy issues. Such differences were behind the “mismanagement” of the economy and price rise. On the other hand, inflation was under check during the NDA rule.

Mr. Advani said the Centre-State relations were smooth during the NDA rule. As Home Minister, his relations with the States were cordial and based on trust. “That is not the case now.”

The poor and the middle class were in severe distress due to price rise. The CPI(M) protests against price rise were “hypocritical” as the Congress and its allies, including the Leftists, were responsible for the “failures” of the government. The Left, he alleged, had been exercising power without accountability. The UPA could not continue in power for a single day without support from the Left parties, Mr. Advani said.

The Congress, he claimed, was not particular about signing the nuclear deal with the U.S. as the party would not get support of the Left after the elections.

The third front being talked about by the Left was meaningless. In three States, the Congress and the Left were opposing each other. In other States, the Leftist parties did not have a significant presence, the BJP leader said.

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