| Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee directed Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh to present a vote-on-account early to clear the way for dissolution of the Lok Sabha. |
| Setting at rest speculation on election dates, Vajpayee said, "I hope that a new government will be in place by April." |
| Responding to the political resolution moved by Singh and adopted by the BJP's national executive, Vajpayee cast aside his usual diffidence to say: "The hour of decision has come. I hereby direct Jaswant Singhji to present a vote-on-account in Parliament at an early date." |
| He also asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to make the necessary arrangements for the vote-on-account. |
| Summing up the two-day deliberations, the prime minister's address was a pep talk to the party. "We will go from here with resolute determination and meet next time to congratulate each other on our victory," he said. |
| Though there was no discussion on when Parliament would be convened, party sources said a group of senior BJP leaders, including Singh and Swaraj, favoured the first week of February. |
| After presenting the vote, the Cabinet will recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha and consult the Election Commission for dates. |
| As in the past, the BJP national executive continued to raise the pitch on the "feel-good factor" and on the lack of an alternative to Vajpayee in its political resolution. |
| Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, however, made a subtle reference to the Hindutva line by saying, "Our vision of cultural nationalism has gained public support." |
| BJP President Venkaiah Naidu gave an indication of the party's poll-preparedness by saying the party would be able to organise 100-odd rallies across the country before the notification for polls came into force. |
What next?
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New govt by April: PM
Vote-on-account likely in early February
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First Published: Jan 13 2004 | 12:00 AM IST
