Pakistan instigating militants to disturb elections: AbdullahJammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has said that there is a nexus between the secessionist elements of the valley and Assam, as part of Pakistan's game plan, to destabilise different parts of the country during the coming Lok Sabha elections. The Huriyat leaders had visited Assam twice apparently as part of Pakistan's nefarious design, Abdullah said addressing a high level meeting of central team headed by Union home secretary B P Singh in Jammu on Friday.Instability suits us, says Kanshi: While all the other political parties are going to the Lok Sabha polls on stability plank Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is fighting election for "instability". "Instability suits us because it results in quick mid-term polls and helps us to increase our vote percentage," BSP chief Kanshi Ram told reporters in Jaipur on Friday. He said his party is playing an elimination game in politics and hopes to capture power at the Centre with 300seats in the Lok Sabha by the first decade of the 21st century.
CPI-ML (L) aims to create politicalÿawareness: Veteran Communist leader NagabhushanpaÿNaik said on Saturday that though his party, the CPI-ML (Liberation) has fielded 41 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, itsÿmain aim is toÿcreate political awareness about the danger posed by the BJP coming to power at the Centre.
"BJP not to compromise on Article 370": BJP president L K Advani said on Saturday that his party willÿnot compromise on its stand on abrogation of Article 370 ofÿthe Constitution which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It has provided a tool to the Pakistan government to "misguide and mislead the people of Kashmir",ÿhe told reporters in Varanasi.ÿHe said the BJP favoured more powers for states, especially Tamil Nadu, but decentralisation of power is different from extending Article 370 to them.
Gujarat BJP leader fears violence: BJP national secretary, Narendra Modi said on Saturday that hedoes not rule out possibility of a large scale violence in Gujarat during the forthcoming elections. Modi, who has been sent by the BJP high commandÿto Gujarat to take charge of the party's campaign for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state, told newspersons in Ahmedabad that even central agencies have made statements regarding activities of ISI elements in the bordering state.
"Cong using `black money' to win seats": Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Saturday that the Congress is using "illegal money" (black money) to win seats in west Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts in the state. Speaking to newspersons in Vijayawada Naidu said, "I will explain this through my election campaign to voters to create awareness among them." He claimed Telegu Desam has received a good response from the people and it will win over 30 seats in the state.
"UF only solution to present political crisis": Karnataka chiefminister J H Patel said in Mangalore onSaturday that the United Front (UF) is the only solution to the present political crisis facing the country as the era of single party rule at the Centre has ended. Addressing a press conference, he criticized the stability card played by the Congress and BJP. He alleged that despite having stable governments during the four decades of its rule, the Congress could not ensure socio-economic stability to the people and did little to address the basic problems of the country.
Sonia promises statehood to Jharkhand: Congress star campaigner Sonia Gandhi cautioned the people on Saturday against parties out to damage the unity and integrity of the country in the name of religion and promised creation of a separate Jharkhand state if the Congress is voted to power in the general elections. Addressing an election rally attended by about 50,000 at the Kutchehri maidan, Sonia said that strong government at the Centre is the need of the hour and the Congress alone, with its rich experience in governing thecountry, can provide stability.
"BJP alone can provide stable govt": Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Kalyan Singh claimed on Thursday that his party alone can provide a stable government at the Centre. Addressing a public meeting in Firozabad he said, with Atal Behari Vajpayee as prime minister, the BJP will provide a honest and far-sighted government. Singh said by providing a stable government, the BJP will remove poverty and unemployment.
SAD (ASR) releases manifesto: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) promised on Friday to punish those responsible for 1984 anti-Sikh riots, safeguard rights of Punjabis and provide a clean administration. Releasing the party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, its general secretaries Jagmohan Singh and Chaman Singh Lohra, called upon the people to defeat BJP and Congress candidates. The party which has put up three candidates - Simranjit Singh Mann from Sangrur, Bhag Singh from Ropar and Kulwant Singh Khera from Patiala- accused BJP ofencouraging political nepotism.
Battle scene in 209 seats clears: The poll scene will be clear on Saturday with the completion of withdrawal of nominations in 209 Lok Sabha constituencies going to polls on February 22 and 28. Over 1,500 candidates have entered the fray in 209 constituencies spread over 13 states and Union territories of Pondicherry, Daman and Diu. In all 77 constituencies will go to the polls on February 22 and 132 on February 28.
Hung house to be the outcome of polls: Moopanar: The Tamil Manila Congress leader G K Moopanar has said that a hung house will emerge from the Lok Sabha elections, but he is not sure about the shape of the next ruling coalition. In the midst of his campaign trail in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu he told the press, the post poll situation will be a repeat of 11th Lok Sabha. Asked whether United Front will be expanded after the polls he said that he does not rule out the possibility.
Karunakaran faces intense competition: SeniorCongress leader, K Karunakaran, has tough battle on hand as he makes second bid for a maiden entry into the Lok Sabha. For the Congress veteran who is pitted against CPI's K VsurenÿRanath and BJP's KeraÿA Varma Raja, losing the elections will not deprive him of a place in Parliament as he is already a Rajya Sabha member, but he will certainly lose his hold over the Congress party in Kerala to CWC member A K Antony. The veteran Congress leaderÿhad missed a Lok Sabha seat by a narrow margin of 1400 votes when CPI's V V Raghavan worsted him in Thrissur in 1996.
Congress will dissolve by itself after polls: Nijalingappa: Former Congress president S Nijalingappa said on Saturday in Bangalore that the Congress party will "dissolve by itself after the coming Lok Sabha polls". He said, "the Congress is as bad as any other party. No party has remained pure. Parties with different ideals have come together and this is a distressing factor."
BJP criticises V P Singh: The BJP criticised former primeminister V P Singh on Saturday for his suggestion to "bury Bofors" a issue on which he had left the Congress and become prime minister in the National Front government in 1989. BJP general secretary Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in New Delhi, " VP Singh began his political journey through Bofors and now he wants to bury it as he wants to have a post-electoral adjustment with the Congress."
BJP challenges Sonia: The BJP challenged Sonia Gandhi on Saturday to come forward for a debate on any national issue. Talking to newspersons in New Delhi, party general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu described Sonia Gandhi's campaign as hit and run saying that she is non commital on national issues. He said everybody knows that the Congress is responsible for the present state of affairs in the country. None of the Congress leaders, including party president, are in a position to carry any conviction with the people on any issue and therefore have left to Sonia Gandhi, who had been a foreigner for 40 of her 53 years,to campaign for the party.
BJP govt will not succumb to external pressure: Advani: BJP president L K Advani has asserted that if elected, his party's government at the centre will not succumb to any foreign pressure in excercising nuclear option. Addressing an election meeting in Balia on Friday night, Advani said, "we are aware of foreign pressures put on the country to prevent it from excercising nuclear option and want to make it clear to every quarter that the BJP government will not tolerate such coercion."
Murty urges Kesri to step down: Senior Congress-I leader from Karnataka T N Narasimha Murthy urged party president Sitaram Kesri on Saturday to immediately step down in favour of an "able leader" to improve the party's prospects in the Lok Sabha elections. If Sonia Gandhi had declined to campaign it would have led to the disintegration of the party, he added. Ridiculing the party's decision to apologise for the Babri Masjid demolition and operation Blue Star, he said this meant thatthe party is showing disregard to former prime minsiters Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
