New Delhi, Dec 31: BJP is geared up for the Lok Sabha polls ahead of schedule with about 60 per cent of the exercise having been completed and is currently sounding its allies on the issue, party sources said. The meeting of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani with Shiv sena chief Bal Thackeray in Mumbai yesterday and earlier meeting with another key ally TDP were all pointers in this direction since these partners were favourably inclined towards an early election, the sources said. The sources said that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is likely to give an indication in this regard at the public meeting he is slated to address on the opening day of the two-day national executive in Hyderabad on January 11. NDA convenor George Fernandes has been asked to sound other partners in this regard and the exercise is on in this direction, the sources said. The sources said the polls could be held either in late April or second week of May with the government going in for a vote-on-account instead of a full budget.
A final decision would be taken at Hyderabad where all state units have been asked to give a feedback on the party's position, the sources said.
The party's central leadership has prepared two alternatives of polls within 250 days or 125 days which would be put up at the national executive for approval, the sources said.
Bureau Report