This Article is From Mar 08, 2012

No question of mid-term polls, says Jayanthi Natarajan

Chennai: Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan today ruled out any possibility of a mid-term poll, saying the union government would last its full term. Ms Natarajan's statement came amid the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre facing heat from its allies Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress.

Ms Natarajan today came out with strong words for the Centre's allies, who in the recent past have stood in the way of the Congress in several policy decisions like Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The Centre has had to stall these plans with allies, especially Trinamool Congress' Mamata Banerjee, taking a strong disapproving stance.

"Those who got elected in various states should not hope to de-stabilise the Centre. They should concentrate on good governance in those states," said Ms Natarajan.

However, she also dismissed murmurs of Centre's straining relations with its allies.

"We have a very good relationship with all our allies. Congress President has said we would continue to engage with allies," Ms Natarajan added.

The Trinamool Congress added to the mid-term polls clamour by publicly saying it's welcome. Speaking to the Indian Express, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said if there is an anti-Congress wave in the country and the Samajwadi Party and the BJP wants early polls then Congress should understand.

"Trinamool may also be happy to have a mid-term poll now rather than two years later. If I am in a situation of a lame duck then I think it may be a good idea to call it a day," Mr Trivedi said. (Read)

The BJP had also hit out at the Congress and said its lukewarm performance in Uttar Pradesh and the clear mandate for the Samajwadi Party could reshape the alliance at the Centre. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told NDTV that the seat count shows that a weakened Congress is incapable of serving any longer as the pivot for the UPA coalition.

Ms Swaraj said a seat count shows a weakened Congress is incapable of serving any longer as the pivot for the UPA coalition at the Centre.
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