Guj poll victory will send positive signals: Munde

Pune, Dec 26 (UNI) BJP National Secretary Gopinath Munde today said the party's sweeping victory in Gujarat assembly elections, whose results were declared on Sunday, will certainly send positive signals to Maharashtra, where the asslembly elections are slated for 2009.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Munde said the BJP's triumph in Gujarat had given a new dimension to the party and had served as a tonic in giving a new vigour, which would give Congress some sleepless nights before the next Lok Sabha elections.

Attributing the party's win in Gujarat to Narendra Modi's charisma, he said despite UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi describing him as 'Maut Ka Saudagar' (Merchant of Death), he emerged 'Jeet Ka Saudagar' (Merchant of Victory) after securing the two-third majority in Gujrat assembly.

Exuding confidence, he said the UPA coalition will not last long as its six constituents, who are small parties, may withdraw support, while the CPM, the major constituent, has been threatning everyday of withdrawing its support over the nuclear deal.

Commenting on the recent tirade unleashed by state Revenue Minister Narayan Rane against Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Mr Munde said the Congress in Maharashtra was on the verge of a split, if there was no change in leadership.

The Democratic Front government, led by Mr Deshmukh, had failed on every front and law and order situation in Maharashtra had gone from bad to worse. Over and above the developmental works had come to a standstill due to the in-fighting between the Congress and the NCP, he claimed.

There is an urgent need for election in Maharashtra, he said and added that the present government would not be able to take any decision.

The foreign companies, the main sources of revenue, are reluctant to make any further investment in the state due to the frequent power outage, he said, adding, the Deshmukh government had not taken any concrete steps to sort out the power crisis.

UNI