Centre may hold Lok Sabha polls in Jan or Feb: Advani

JAIPUR: There is a possibility that Lok Sabha elections could be held in January or February next year after the results of assembly polls in the BJP-ruled states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are out, senior BJP leader L K Advani on Monday said.
 
"The Lok Sabha elections could be held in January or February next year by the UPA government after assessing the results of the assembly polls slated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chhattisgarh later this year," Advani told a state party functionary meeting here.
 
On the other hand, the Congress and Left parties feel they could face losses if they go for early Lok Sabha elections in the backdrop of nuclear deal with the USA, Advani claimed.
 
Inaugurating the two-day meet, Advani warned that the anti-incumbency factor in assembly polls is never against the government, but "against the elected representative in his/her constituency".
 
Recalling the benefits of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls till 1967, Advani, who is also leader of Opposition in lower house, urged the Centre for bringing a constitutional amendment to hold both the elections at a for fixed five-year terms.
 
Asking party workers for self-introspection, he said "Swayam ko badalene ka offer deejiye ane wale vidhan sabha chunav mein (give a power to replace yourself in coming up assembly polls).
 
"BJP has done this exercise in Gujarat, candidates were changed to help return to power and same could be done elsewhere also," he said.