The BJP and its allies were openly conveying to the masses that Atal Behari Vajpayee was the "only capable" person for the Office of Prime Minister, while the Congress was reluctant in firmly projecting any leader in this regard, said Sharma, who is the BJP-SAD candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

Addressing a press conference here today, Sharma claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would emerge triumphant in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Sharma alleged that the Congress was concealing the identity of political parties which could emerge as its "like-minded" allies. He termed the Congress alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the AIADMK as "triangle of corruption."

Appealing to the electorate to cast their votes in favour of the candidate of their choice, he said, "it is harmful to the country if voters do not cast their franchise." Sharma, who does not have a vote here, said candidates from outside should also be allowed to cast their vote from where they are contesting.

BJP candidate K.L. Sharma today campaigned in Kajheri, Attawa, Batrela, Badheri and Maloya. He met panchayat members of the villages and addressed residents, assuring his commitment to secure basic amenities for them.

Earlier in the day party cadres and supporters took out prabhat pheris in sectors 19, 20 and 21.

At the Punjab University campus, student organisations participated in a Talk Show. As the "guest" of the show, Sharma answered students' queries on national issues. Sharma told the students that despite being a nuclear state, India favoured live and let live policy. He said India wanted peace with neighbours, yet, should a war be thrust upon her, we would be prepared to defend our sovereignty and integrity.

Describing the Central government's "concern" over population, Sharma referred to his bachelor status and said he favoured proactive policy to bring down the birthrate.

Meanwhile, a press note issued by Brahm Mohindra, All-India Congress Committee observer for the Chandigarh constituency, announced that Chandar Mukhi Sharma has been suspended from party primary membership in view of his "gross anti-party activities" during the present campaign. A show cause notice is being separately issued to him, the note said.

Indian Ex-services League pledges support to BJP
In a statement issued here the Indian Ex-services League has said that the majority of the ex-servicemen and their families in the city have placed their trust in the BJP and have resolved to support K.L. Sharma during the forthcoming elections.