UP enters poll mode: Parties prefer elections in Februrary

Lucknow, Nov 17 (UNI) Political parties in Uttar Pradesh have switched to election mode after the ruling Samajwadi Party government requested the Election Commission(EC) to hold the assembly polls during February, 2007.

Though the parties have not objected to the SP's proposal the opposition wants the elections to be held under the full supervision of the EC.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had recently sent a letter to the EC asking it to hold the assembly polls in February as the last assembly polls were held in this month during 2002.

''We are ready for the polls and now it is up to the EC to decide the dates,'' he said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the ruling coalition, has also favoured assembly polls in February.

RLD president Ajit Singh said here his party would prefer the assembly polls in February as it was the right time for holding such a big electoral exercise.

''My party is ready for the elections anytime,'' he added.

However, Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari, supporting the decision to hold elections in Februrary said it should be held under full supervision of the EC.

''No free and fair polls can be held under the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led administration and EC should deploy central forces and observers for the polls,'' Mr Tiwari added.

He said Congress is ready for the elections any time but only want that it should be held in a free and fair manner.

Meanwhile, BJP has also supported the holding of assembly polls in Februrary after their landslide success in the Mayoral elections held recently in the state.

Senior party leader said the party was in a winning spree and would like to continue its success in the assembly elections also.

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