Venkaiah predicts fall of UPA Government Assembly polls

Bangalore, Mar 25: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Venkaiah Naidu today forecast the imminent fall of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre after Assembly Elections to the five states in May.

Speaking at a function to mark the taking over of Mr Sadananda Gowda as new President of State BJP here, Mr Naidu urged the partymen to gear up for elections stating that the ''days of UPA government are being counted and it will fall after the Assembly elections''.

Alleging that the UPA government had failed on all fronts, Mr Naidu said it was ''directionless''.

He claimed that ''not even a single youth was provided job after announcement of Job Guarantee Scheme by the UPA, prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing but the government is sleeping.'' Calling upon the workers to strictly maintain discipline, Mr Naidu said that ''due to wrong doings of one or two workers, the party's image has gone down. We should maintain discipline and follow the Party constitution strictly.'' Terming Congress President Sonia Gandhi's resignation from the Lok Sabha as a 'big drama', Mr Naidu said that ''she quit fearing that she may be disqualified''. It was Congress which raised Ms Jaya Bachchan's issue and paid for it, he added.

BJP General Secretary, incharge of Karnataka, T Ghelot, in his address said the BJP in Karnataka had succeeded not only in forming the coalition government along the Janata Dal (Secular) but also proved its ability by presenting a popular budget. ''No State in the country has come forward to reduce the interest rates to farmers to four per cent and schemes aimed at empowering girl child and I am confident this coalition government will complete its full term in the office'', he added.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa speaking on the occasion said he would soon lead a delegation to Gujarat to study power reforms undertaken in that State and implement the reforms to ensure at least 18 hours of power supply was maintained in rural areas.

Mr Sadananada Gowda, who took over the reins from Mr Jagadish Shettar, assured to work for strengthening the party at grassroot level and take all the workers into confidence.

UNI