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Decision on clubbing assembly, LS polls through consensus: PM
Lucknow, Feb 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today admitted that there was a demand from ``certain quarters`` to hold Lok Sabha and assembly elections together in the country and said that a decision on it would be taken after evolving consensus.
Lucknow, Feb 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today admitted that there was a demand from ''certain quarters'' to hold Lok Sabha and assembly elections together in the country and said that a decision on it would be taken after evolving consensus.
Addressing the media here during the end of his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, Vajpayee also spoke at length about the Ayodhya issue, which he said was associated with the feelings of the people and not just with the elections.
On simultaneous elections, Vajpayee said that there was a demand to hold the general and assembly elections simultaneously. ''maang uthi hai..'' (demand has been raised) he said adding that a final decision on the issue could be taken after the ''aam rai'' (consensus) was developed.
The Prime Minister, however, did not pin-point the persons or the group (apparently with the BJP) who had raised the demand. During his interaction, Vajpayee also maintained that the Ayodhya issue was associated with the feelings of the people. ''The issue is not related to elections, but with the feelings of the people, therefore, efforts were being made to solve it with the help of all,'' he said.
He also hoped that positive outcome could be achieved on the issue.
On whether the Ayodhya issue would form a part of the BJP's manifesto, he said it would be disclosed later.
On the possibility to hold the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh together, Vajpayee replied in the affirmative but added that the demand was for all the states and not Uttar Pradesh alone.
Bureau Report
On simultaneous elections, Vajpayee said that there was a demand to hold the general and assembly elections simultaneously. ''maang uthi hai..'' (demand has been raised) he said adding that a final decision on the issue could be taken after the ''aam rai'' (consensus) was developed.
The Prime Minister, however, did not pin-point the persons or the group (apparently with the BJP) who had raised the demand. During his interaction, Vajpayee also maintained that the Ayodhya issue was associated with the feelings of the people. ''The issue is not related to elections, but with the feelings of the people, therefore, efforts were being made to solve it with the help of all,'' he said.
He also hoped that positive outcome could be achieved on the issue.
On whether the Ayodhya issue would form a part of the BJP's manifesto, he said it would be disclosed later.
On the possibility to hold the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh together, Vajpayee replied in the affirmative but added that the demand was for all the states and not Uttar Pradesh alone.
Bureau Report