Polls in Rajasthan not to be advanced: Sharma

Jaipur, Jan 2: Outgoing Rajasthan BJP president Dr Mahesh Sharma today said the party's victory in the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh had certainly brightened the ruling party's prospects in the next assembly elections but maintained that polls, to be held by the year-end, would not be advanced.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Sharma said elections in the above two states had reflected people's moods in favour of the BJP's nationalistic ideology and strong stand against the ruling UPA's ''soft policy'' on terrorism and Muslim appeasement.

''This has set a strong current in favour of the BJP but there is no scope for early Assembly polls in our state and the elections would be held on time by the end of this year,'' he said.

The BJP highcommand had accepted Mr Sharma's resignation on Jan 1, which was pending before it for sometime. BJP General Secretary and Gujarat state unit in charge Om Mathur has been appointed state president in Mr Sharma's place.

UNI