BJP for assembly elections under President's rule

Shimla, Oct 11 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh BJP today sought dismissal of state government and imposition of President's rule for the coming assembly polls, saying free and fair elections are not possible under the present Congress government.

''However, the party will not press for the imposition of President's rule since that will not have any impact on the outcome of the election results,'' party in charge Satpal Jain said at a press conference here.

Expressing optimism that the present Congress government would be replaced by the BJP which would take the oath of office and secrecy on January one, next year, he said the party was geared up for the coming elections.

''A new BJP government will be in place by the beginning of next year,'' he claimed.

Mr Jain said after three tribal Congress legislators had approached the state High Court for holding simultaneous elections to these seats, a party delegation had met the Chief Election Commissioner and expressed its willingness for early elections.

Referring to the unease in the state unit of the Congress following the announcement of assembly elections a little earlier than they had expected, he said though they were not expressing their concern, the announcement has rattled them.

He said as far as the announcement of chief ministerial candidate of the party was concerned, he said the party's central leadership would take a decision later.

''Both former union minister Shanta Kumar and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal are assets of the party and the issue will be decided by the central leadership after thorough discussions.'' Expressing faith in the state bureaucracy and the administration, the BJP leader called upon the bureaucrats to ensure that model code of conduct was adhered to in the elections.

He said the party was holding the meeting of its election committee in Jawalamukhi on October 14, while meeting of several committees have already taken place.

UNI