Sonia rules out early Lok Sabha polls

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Saturday appeared to rule out early Lok Sabha polls, saying “our aim is to go till the very end.”

Gandhi initially tried to steer clear of the question when asked by reporters whether Congress would go for polls after passage of landmark legislations like Food Security bill and the Land Acquisition bill.

“I cannot say anything,” Gandhi remarked when another questioner put the same question.

But when persisted, Gandhi, who is also UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson, said, “Our aim is to go till the very end.”

Interacting with reporters after inaugurating the National Media Centre, Gandhi expressed confidence that the UPA-III will come to power after the next polls, noting that the rights given to the people by the ruling alliance were its USP (unique selling point).

“Certainly. 100 per cent... Obviously so many rights we have given. It is our right to information, right to education and now right to food is our USP,” Gandhi said when asked about the possibility of UPA-III coming to power and what was the USP on which the elections will be fought.

To a query, Gandhi said hopefully the Food Security bill, which has been pending consideration for long, will be passed next week.

“How can I say?” Gandhi said when asked whether BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) will cooperate in its passage.

On the Telangana issue, Gandhi said that the AICC (All India Congress Committee) panel headed by A.K. Antony is hearing the concerns of those affected. Gandhi said government will also be setting up a committee, but did not elaborate.

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