Rajnath rules out early polls

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, today ruled out early polls in the State. ``Assembly elections will be held in 2002. I don't feel it is necessary to advance them,'' Mr. Singh told reporters here.

Asked if the BJP could form a Government on its own or lead a coalition after the polls, Mr. Singh said, ``Whatever government it may be, it will be led by the BJP. How can we forget our alliance partners?'' He said the BJP's performance in the recent Assembly by-elections was quite good; the party had polled higher percentage of votes in these constituencies compared to 1996 and 1999 elections.

Asked which Assembly seat he would contest, Mr. Singh said, ``The election may be fought from Hydergarh.'' He, however, said it was for BJP high command to decide the seat as the Sahdabad seat in Mathura district was also vacant.

- PTI

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