Lok Sabha elections would be held as per schedule: Lalu

Patna, Jul 9 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today claimed that withdrawal of support by the Left parties on proposed Indo-US nuclear deal issue would not affect the government and said the Lok Sabha elections would be held as scheduled.

Addressing a function here to inaugurate the regional office of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the RJD chief said the nuclear deal was in the national interest and moving ahead in this direction did not at all mean succumbing to foreign pressure.

Unfazed by the withdrawal of support by the Left parties to the UPA government, Mr Prasad said Lok Sabha elections would be held as per schedule. He, however, added that it was the prerogative of the people to elect the government as per their wishes.

On the withdrawal of support by the Left parties, the Railway Minister said the Leftists were free to take decision as per their principle and ideology.

''The Left parties were our friends yesterday and they would continue to remain the same tomorrow,'' he noted.

He also added that negotiations were on with the Nepal government to find a permanent solution to the perennial flood problem and Detailed Project Report was being prepared to tap the vast potential of hydro electric power in the area.

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