'Hold 2007 UP assembly polls under prez rule'

Allahabad, June 22: The BJP today demanded that the 2007 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh be held under President's Rule.

Talking to newsmen here, BJP national vice president and MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said free and fair elections were not possible under the present rule of the Samajwadi Party government.

He said a high-level party delegation would soon meet the Chief Election Commissioner in this regard.

''There is a parallel regime of criminals and mafias in UP, which the SP might use to win the next assembly elections.'' Mr Naqvi said his party had taken the UP assembly polls as a great challenge and was gearing up according to a strategy. ''BJP will field candidates on all seats and get absolute majority to form the next government.'' In reply to a question, he said those leaving the BJP were not going to damage the party. ''The base of our party is strong and we are moving in the right direction.'' The BJP leader maintained that Kesari Nath Tripathi would continue to head the UP unit of the party.

Further, he lambasted the UPA government saying the announcement of schemes for the minorities was merely a drama. ''There are several such schemes, but they need proper implementation.'' Mr Naqvi alleged the announcement for reservation to backwards and on basis of religion and caste was a conspiracy to divide the society.

UNI

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