NDA denies discussing anything on President's rule in UP

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Opposition NDA parties, which are divided on the issue of bringing Uttar Pradesh under President's rule, today chose to circumvent the matter by not discussing it in the meeting of their leaders.

The NDA leaders, who met here at the residence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, avoided questions saying the issue did not figure in the meeting.

''We concentrated on issues to be raised in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament,'' NDA convenor George Fernandes, who had opposed the idea of President's rule in the state, said.

BJP Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra said he had information that the Union Cabinet had decided that it would not bring UP under President's rule.

''When the issue of President's rule is not at all in the sight, what is the point in discussing it,'' he said.

Mr Fernandes, when reminded of his statament that he would campaign for Samajwadi Party supermo and UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh, said the polls were not happening immediately.

When a reporter pointed out to Mr Fernandes that Janata Dal (United) Chief Sharad Yadav was campaigning for Apna Dal of Mr Sone Lal Patel in the elections, the former Defence Minister who is at logger head within the party establishment made a caustic remark "Such actions can come from those who are in league with Congress party".

UNI