Venkaiah predicts mid-term polls after Guj, HP elections

{image-venkiah naidu_12122007.jpg news.oneindia.in}Hyderabad, Dec 12: Former BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu today predicted that mid-term polls to the Lok Sabha would be held in early next year after the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Addressing the media here, he said the Left parties, coalition partners of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, were feeling uneasy on several issues, including the Indo-US nuclear deal, and the gap between the allies was increasing. ''We are of the view that mid-term elections will be held anytime after the elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh,'' he said.

Claiming that the Congress was rattled over the announcement of Leader of the Opposition to the Lok Sabha L K Advani as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr Naidu demanded that the Congress also announce its candidate for the next elections.

Describing Mr Advani as a towering personality, and a good administrator, he said the Congress was making immature statements on the issue in self-defence.

Referring to the Gujarat elections, Mr Naidu said, ''the BJP does not believe in exit polls. We rely on exact polls. The party will win comfortable seats to form the Government.'' ''The Congress, Left parties, a section of the media and foreign- funded NGOs have launched a ''hate campaign'' against (Gujarat Chief Minister) Narendra Modi, terming him a 'Hindu Terrorist' and by diverting the slogan of 'development' that took place in the State,'' he added.

UNI