'Poll dates no setback for Cong in decision on prez Rule'

Lucknow, Feb 23 (UNI) The Congress today said the announcement of Uttar Pradesh assembly poll dates by the Election Commission (EC) was not a setback its demand for imposition of president's Rule in the state.

Talking to reporters here, UP Congress president Salman Khurshid said he still stood by his observation that the Mulayam Singh Yadav government was 'illegal'.

''I stand by what I said...with poll announcement, the government's term expires,'' he said adding Congress had carefully deliberated the issue of imposing Article 356 in UP in this wake.

Mr Khurshid noted the imposition of President's Rule could be capitalised upon by the ruling Samajwadi Party to misinform people about the real reasons behind it.

However, he added the final decision on the issue lay with the party high command.

Mr Khurshid admitted that non-imposition of President's Rule in UP could have created a sense of dejection in party workers, ''but the seven phase poll is a clear indicator that EC wants to hold free and fair polling.'' To a poser on assembly election, he said the EC's decision to hold poll in seven phases was an indicator on the situation in UP.

''It is a major challenge for EC...but I am sure free and fair poll will be held in UP under the body's watchful eyes.'' He said the issue of Article 356 was not a win or lose situation for anyone.

UNI