Date:30/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063055711300.htm

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BJP asks government to seek vote of confidence

“Focus on development instead of fighting with the Left”

L.K. Advani

Rourkela: With the CPI(M) openly threatening to withdraw support to the UPA government if it went ahead with the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, the BJP on Sunday asked the Manmohan Singh government to seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha on the issue.

“We will ask the government to face a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha on the nuclear issue following the present political situation,” senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said at a rally here.

Mr. Advani said, “we cannot sacrifice our atomic energy and future tests in Pokhran by signing the agreement with the USA.”

He said the Centre should focus on burning issues and development instead of fighting with the Left parties over the proposed pact.

Mr. Advani blamed the UPA government for the increasing naxal activities in the country and said that during the NDA regime insurgency was under control due to inter-State coordination meetings of naxal-affected States.

He said the NDA government had given priority to national security and to control cross-border terrorism. These were totally neglected now.

“Work for the people”

Mr. Advani asked party workers not to be overconfident and work sincerely for the people for victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

“We lost the election in 2004 simply because of our over-confidence. That should not be repeated this time,” he said.

Mr. Advani said the party would go to people with issues such as farmers’ suicide, development of the country, national security and commitment to control price rise.

Mr. Advani said his party and its allies were committed to work for the removal of poverty and backwardness and development of six lakh villages in the country.

Stating that the BJP had changed its system of selection of candidates for the elections, Mr. Advani said the party had already announced its first list of the candidates for the Lok Sabha polls.

The names of the other nominees, he said, would be announced before August 2008 which would help them to work for the people at the grass root level. — PTI