PM to begin poll tour on Feb. 9

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 7. The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, will begin a three-day election tour on February 9, the day he is scheduled to address two major public meetings in Jamshedpur and Bokaro. Leaders of the BJP's allies in Bihar are expected to share the dais with him. Announcing the Prime Minister's meetings for the first phase of elections, the BJP spokesperson, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, said here today Mr. Vajpayee would address two rallies at Sambhalpur and Rourkela, Orissa, on February 10, where Biju Janata Dal leaders will join him. In Haryana, he will address two meetings on February 11, but the venues have not yet been finalised. The schedule for his tour for the second and third phases are also being planned.

Welcoming the Defence Minister's decision ordering a probe into defence deals over the last 15 years, Mr. Naidu said the Government was committed to ``probity, transparency and accountability''. The probe was ``an expression of concern'' at the Comptroller and Auditor-General's reports, he said.

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Section  : National
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