Bjp'S Allies Against Mid-Term Polls

The BJPs public gesture that it would prefer a mid-term poll rather than pro-actively try to form a BJP-led coalition government has not been taken well by its allies, particularly the Shiv Sena, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Samata Party and also the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Leaders of these parties have clarified that they would prefer not to face a mid term Lok Sabha polls and have reportedly told former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to try seriously to prolong the life of this Lok Sabha by trying to form an alternative government.

At a dinner meeting with Vajpayee late Monday night, they apprised Vajpayee that no MP belonging to either their own parties or any other parties want to face the electorate after such a short time. They said a mid-term poll may create revulsion among the people. Vajpayee listened to them in rapt attention and agreed that holding parliamentary elections after ten months was not a viable proposition for any political party.

 

He has reportedly asked them to study the situation and suggest ways to form a anti-Congress, anti-Janata Dal and anti-Left coalition government.

He has assured them that a mid-term poll would be the last alternative.

Among those who attended the meeting included BSP chief Kanshi Ram, Shiv Sena chief Madhukar Sarpotdar, Samata Party chief George Fernandes and SAD chief SS Barnala.