New Delhi, June 13: With its eyes set on a clean majority in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP's brainstorming session in Mumbai from June 17 to 20 is likely to discuss the "right timing" for the general elections, possibility of an electoral alliance with the BSP in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere and other strategies. The party's top leadership will discuss at length when it would be favourable to go for general elections between November this year and September, 2004, when it is due, party sources said.

However, a final decision may depend on the outcome of the November assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattishgarh and Delhi. It is understood that the party would go in for polls next February or March if it wins at least three of the states. If not, it may prefer giving a gap of at least six months between the assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls.

The "chintan baithak" (brainstorming session) of around 25 BJP leaders including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani is also to take an assessment of the party's strength in various states as well as that of its allies.

As of now, the party has no plans to alter its relations with any of its allies, including the DMK, but issues like the Samata Party's infighting and chances of TDP doing a 'hatrick' are expected to figure at the meeting.

Facing the possibility of opposition uniting to fight the BJP in the elections, the BJP is of the view that any dent that could be made by a Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance especially in Uttar Pradesh could be countered only with a partnership with BSP.

Bureau Report