Congress, UPA govt rule out early polls

Even as the speculation of early polls gained ground, the UPA on Friday said that the government would last the full term, till 2014. HT reports.

Even as the speculation of early polls gained ground, the UPA on Friday said that the government would last the full term, till 2014.

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Rumours started pouring in after a panel, headed by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, was constituted to prepare the party for the general elections. Adding to the conjecture, the Samajwadi Party has announced 55 of its candidates for the next general polls.

"Their (Congress) house in not in order. All the states where they have more MPs are in crisis, like in Andhra Pradesh. They may want to go in for early polls to cut their losses," senior CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.

But both the Congress and the government denied any such motive.

"The government has been elected for five years. People have given the mandate for five years. The government will last for five years," Information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari said.

At All India Congress Committee, spokesperson Rashid Alvi also ruled out early poll possibility, saying elections will be held as per schedule and that there is no threat to the government.

Alvi, however, said Congress is always ready for elections as a political party.