'Mid-term polls around the corner'

Jalandhar, Sep 16: Senior BJP leaders L K Advani today exhorted the party workers to be ready for mid-term elections which were ''around the corner.'' Addressing party workers during a function organised here this evening to felicitate the newly-elected SAD-BJP Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the four municipal corporations, Mr Advani claimed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government would not complete its full term and elections could be held anytime in the first half of the next year.

Mr Advani, who was projected as the next Prime Minister of the country during the function, while giving reasons for the mid-term elections, said though the BJP was not against the nuclear deal with the US, it was against that particular clause in the deal which states that US would impose sanctions, if India conducts a nuclear test.

On the Ram Setu issue, he said that the non-existence of Lord Ram in the first affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court by the government was an insult to the faith of hindus. He said the rift within the Congress over the issue had already become visible which would take its toll on the government.

UNI