TDP against advancing LS elections

NEW DELHI: While the BJP is keeping its options open on an early poll next February, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is reported to have conveyed to PM Vajpayee that the TDP wants the next general election be held on schedule in September 2004.
The BJP has officially said it does not favour an early poll, but party strategists maintain that it could opt for a general election next February if it fares well in this year’s assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi.
TDP sources said Naidu had told the PM and Deputy PM Advani that his party is not for advancing the general election. While Advani has not given any assurance to Naidu on poll timing, he is learnt to have requested the TDP chief, a key NDA ally, not to go public with his views. Since this issue is wide open, Naidu has, nevertheless, instructed his cadres to start preparations for a February election.
Ideally, the TDP would like the Lok Sabha and the AP assembly election to be held simultaneously. In such a case, it feels, national issues would dominate and help the ruling TDP to tide over the anti-incumbency sentiment. Besides, Vajpayee’s personal image would also help shift the focus from local issues.
TDP leaders maintain that an early election does not suit their party for two reasons. Andhra Pradesh, they point out, is slated to face an assembly election later next year. In case the Lok Sabha poll is held next February and the BJP does not do as well as envisaged, this result could have an adverse impact on their state’s assembly election. On the other hand, if the BJP does well, it will be emboldened to bargain for a larger share of seats in the assembly election, say TDP leaders. Seat-sharing, they add, is always a tricky issue.