Karnataka polls to have bearing on timing of Lok Sabha elections - Advani

Lending a national dimension to the ensuing assembly elections in Karnataka, BJP leader L K Advani said the outcome of the polls would dictate the timing of the next elections to the Lok Sabha.

Addressing a rally at Anekal near Bangalore on Friday, Advani said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was toying with the idea of opting for early polls to the Lok Sabha, would not dare to advance the election dates if the BJP secures a clear mandate in Karnataka.

“The UPA Government at the Centre would not dare to hold early elections to the Lok Sabha if the BJP secures a clear mandate in Karnataka. In that case, the Lok Sabha elections will be held only during April-May 2009 when they are actually due”, he said.

Advani said a favourable verdict for the BJP in Karnataka would prolong the tenure of Manmohan Singh-led Government. “I want this UPA Government to continue till 2009 so that the anger of the people against the Government for the price rise and galloping inflation also increases”, he said.

The price rise in the country was having a negative impact on the lives of a large number of poor and middle class families, who have either stopped buying food grains or opting for poor quality food grains. The Government, which is doing little to arrest the price rise, is wary of the people’s anger that is bound to only increase by the time Lok Sabha polls are due. “Hence, they are planning to hold early polls and minimize its impact on the polls”, he said.