UP poll announcement first victory for Oppn: Jaya

Chennai, Feb 21 (UNI) The announcement of elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is the first victory for Opposition unity in the country, Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa said today.

Ms Jayalalithaa, in a statement here tonight, said ''the announcement of elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly by the Election Commission of India only goes to show that Opposition unity is essential to preserve and safeguard democracy in India.'' Bowing to the combined pressure of the Communist parties, the AIADMK, the Telugu Desam and other like-minded political parties, the Centre had finally backtracked on its decision to dismiss the Mulayam Singh Government and gave up its move to impose President's rule on Uttar Pradesh, she said.

''But for the determined offensive launched by the Opposition political parties and their combined onslaught gainst the attempt to subvert the Constitution and murder democracy by the Congress led-UPA Government, the Centre would have gone ahead with its move to bury democracy,'' Ms Jayalalithaa claimed.

UNI