Trust vote will be a close call: Advani

Leader of Opposition LK Advani predicts a close finish in the UPA Govt's trust vote slated for July 21-22, reports Shekhar Iyer.

Leader of Opposition LK Advani has predicted a close finish in the UPA government's trust vote slated for July 21-22 even as “the Congress is making tall claims about the numbers.”

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Addressing the BJP's central election management committee, he said: “Whatever be the outcome, the general elections will be nearer. We have to keep our focus on preparations for the polls. Nothing else will matter.” Advani also had a word of caution for party leaders: “In 2004 too, the mood was in favour of the NDA. We must avoid being overconfident. Of course, today's situation is different. The people are upset with the UPA government. Our enemies appear to be working overtime to help us.”

Earlier, the BJP's central election committee decided to delay the release of names of Lok Sabha candidates from UP. BJP general secretary Arun Jaitely backed the state unit’s plea for some more time to finalise names of 80 nominees because of the “flux” situation. It has, however, cleared the names of sitting Arunachal Pradesh MPs.