PM points to early elections

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee kept speculation alive on the possibility of an early general election by telling MPs that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Venkaiah Naidu and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani would decide whether the government would present a vote on account or a full Budget, but there was no doubt that the party would be victorious no matter when the elections were held.

Vajpayee said, "The people's mindset has changed. We should take advantage of it. It is time for all MPs to go to their constituencies and work among the people."

Government officials, MPs and ministers interpreted the Prime Minister's statement as a sure signal that elections would be held early. Many said the government would present a Budget on schedule and immediately announce elections, to derive the advantage of a populist Budget as well as spring a surprise. MPs predicted an April-May election.

Though at a media briefing in the evening the BJP spokesman said the Prime Minister had ruled out early elections, most MPs thought otherwise.