Lalu rules out early Lok Sabha polls despite Left's threat

Bharuch, Gujarat, Jun 29 (UNI) Railway minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today ruled out the possibility of early Lok Sabha elections in the country owing to Left parties rigid stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

''The UPA government will stay and the nuclear deal will sail through,'' Mr Yadav said, while talking to newpersons after laying the foundation stone for two gauge conversion projects at Samni, about 20 km from here.

The RJD chief expressed optimism that the UPA government would complete its full term, and elections to the Lok Sabha would be held as per schedule despite repeated warnings by the Left parties against operationalisation of the deal.

Referring to the announcement of BJP's first list of candidates for the up coming parliamentary elections, he said the dream of BJP prime ministerial candidate L K Advani to become the Prime Minister would remain unfulfilled.

Criticising the BJP's move, Mr Yadav said the prime ministerial candidate of the ''power hungry'' BJP seemed to have announced his candidature for the Gandhinagar seat fearing Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who was emerging as a contender for the post.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who also addressed the media on the occasion, said his government was very optimistic about the nuclear deal as well as completion of its full term.

Replying to a question, Mr Patel said Congress president Sonia Gandhi had never asked the party leaders and its allies to be ready for an early Lok Sabha elections in view of the Left parties opposition to the deal.

''Our dialogue with the Left on the issue is on and we will find a solution to the present problem soon,'' he added.

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