No possibility of mid-term poll: Tariq Anwar

Nagpur, Sep 29 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) general secretary Tariq Anwar today ruled out the possibility of a mid-term Lok Sabha poll.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Anwar said despite their threats, the Left parties are not likely to withdraw support to the incumbent United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. However, as a responsible political party, the NCP was prepared for a poll any time.

The NCP was in talks with the Congress to avoid a split in the secular votes at the forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat, Mr Anwar said and hoped that the two parties would fight the elections in Gujarat together.

Commenting on the Ram Sethu controversy, he said India is a secular country and the sentiments of the public on the issue 'must be honoured'. The Central government had constituted a committee to study the same and its report is awaited, he added.

UNI