Mid-term polls still possible, says Venkaiah

Raipur, Oct 13 (UNI) BJP vice president M Venkaiah Naidu today said mid-term election was still possible as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was only buying time by ruling out early polls.

He described as ''commercial break'' the UPA leaders' statement that there would be no early elections.

''It's not a U-turn by the UPA. The government is buying time.

mid-term polls to Lok Sabha is still possible'', he told newsmen here.

Mr Naidu said the recent decision on bonus, rehabilitation policy and announcement not to increase prices of petroleum products were clear indications that the UPA government wanted to create an atmosphere in its favour.

''UPA is not a natural coalition. The partners differ on many issues including on foreign policy, Kashmir and Indo-US nuclear deal, but all partners were against the BJP'', he said.

Claiming that the 'lame duck' dispensation was unlikely to continue for long, the BJP leader said both the Congress and Left parties were buying time on the pretext of common ground on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Mr Naidu said Congress was accusing the BJP of raising the Ram Sethu issue as it did not have any other plank for the elections.

''Price rise is our main plank against the UPA government'', Mr Naidu said, adding plight of farmers, unemployment and issues pertaining to internal security would dominate the next elections.

''UPA government's affidivat in the apex court on Sethusamudram project will definitely become an issue in the polls'', he added.

UNI