The Hindu : Front Page : Poll outcome crucial for UPA: Naidu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Poll outcome crucial for UPA: Naidu

Staff Reporter

He says it will mark the beginning of the fall of the Central Government

KOTTAYAM: The outcome of the coming elections in Kerala and West Bengal would mark the beginning of the fall of the UPA Government at the Centre, the former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Venkaiah Naidu has said.

Mr. Naidu said that if the Left won the polls, it would start asserting more in finalising the policies of the UPA Government. On the other hand, a Congress win would force the party to take more unilateral decisions. The Congress had not reconciled itself to the coalition politics. "They are in a coalition not because of conviction, but out of compulsion," he said.

Targeting the Left for his criticism, Mr. Naidu said the Left leaders had said that they would not only bark, but also bite. "But the bites are seen only on TV," he quipped and said they were playing a double game of saying something in public and doing something else in private. He said the BJP would only be happy if a third front could be formed to bring down the present UPA Government. However, the arithmetic of the present Lok Sabha made it impossible to form any viable combination either without the Congress or the BJP.

According to him, the BJP was in no hurry to bring down the UPA Government. It was functioning effectively and had helped in forcing a number of Ministers to resign. "A few more heads will roll," he said and added that the party would wait patiently.

While he refused to grade the various constituencies in Kerala on winning chances, Mr. Naidu said chances were good in a couple of seats.

There was significant people's support in Palakkad for BJP candidate O. Rajagopal.

The party had emerged as the single largest constituent in the Palakkad municipal elections and the charismatic personality of the candidate would also help in enhancing his prospects, he said.

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