Food ordinance: Moily dismisses talk of early LS polls

Dismissing talks about early Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister and Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily today said the food security Ordinance was not to advance the elections, but to address hunger problem.
"The idea of introducing food security Ordinance is not to advance (Lok Sabha) elections, but to address hunger dogging the country. Everything can wait but not addressing hunger problem. We have to put down (hang) our head in shame because we are not in a position to feed people," he told reporters here.
Moily said more than the Congress, the Opposition is "afraid" to face Lok Sabha elections. "We have no fears. The Congress has seen elections since 1946. If at all there is any fear, it is in the Opposition. They are making a big noise about it," he said.

The Minister said the food security measure was a national need and AICC President Sonia Gandhi was particularly keen on its implementation. "The Opposition must not mix politics with food security measure taken up by UPA government," he said.
Replying to a query, Moily said the announcement was timely and its implementation would be successful because of the availability of food in excess.
"As of today, we are in excess of it (food). We are in a position to export. This year too we will have record production on food front," he said.
When asked what would be the impact on Congress in 2014 general elections in Karnataka if former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa rejoins BJP, Moily said it would augur well for his party as it would "further sink" the saffron party following developments that unfolded after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was brought on the national stage.

"Yeddyurappa's comeback will not strengthen BJP, rather it will give us an opportunity to attack them fully instead of attacking them partially," he said.