Pawar rules out mid-term poll

Shillong, Oct 12: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today categorically ruled out mid-term general elections in the wake of the impasse between the UPA and the Left over the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.

Talking to reporters after the NCP's Central Working Committee meeting here, Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed confidence that the present stalemate with the Left Front would soon be sorted out.

''This is a coalition government, supported by like-minded friends and it is the responsibility of all friends (UPA partners) to sort out the issues within the government,'' the minister said.

''We would like to continue our coalition with them and all their apprehensions would be sorted out in the next round of talks on October 22,'' the NCP leader said.

Defending the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, Mr Pawar said it was aimed at generating nuclear power for the country. When asked whether the NCP was ready to face mid-term polls, Mr Pawar said, ''We don't see any likelihood of such a situation arising and the UPA government will complete its full five-year term.''

UNI