Seeking NDA to ensure defeat of the Congress in Karnataka poll, the Advani asked the UPA Government to “not to think of any ploy” to postpone elections in the state.

Addressing a meeting of NDA leaders and chief ministers here, the senior BJP leader said the immediate task at hand was to prepare for success in a number of assembly elections of which Karnataka would be the first to go to the polls.

The meeting held discussion to chalk out a common strategy and a common minimum programme for the general elections. The NDA is contesting elections on the plank of “good governance, development and security.” The opposition alliance also decided to convene a meeting of its nine chief ministers soon on the agenda of good governance, development and internal security.

Advani said at one point Lok Sabha polls also seemed to be taking place in the first half of  2008 but “the fear of NDA returning to power” made the Congress and the left parties “reluctant to precipitate early elections.” He thanked NDA alliance partners for entrusting the responsibility of “leading the NDA” in the next Lok Sabha poll. Barring Trinamool Congress all constituent of the NDA participated in the meeting.

“With this meeting, the NDA has sounded the bugle of battle against the failed, non-performing, corrupt and internally divided government of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance. It should be our goal not only to ensure the NDA victory , but also to make the Congress suffer the worst defeat in its history,” said the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha. 

Advani blamed the “long misrule of the Congress” and its “institutionalised arrogance” that “it alone has the birthright to rule India” for most of the problems faced by the country.

He said internal contradictions and weak leadership have been “coded into the DNA of the UPA governance” since its inception. Advani said as against the UPA alliance, the inception of NDA marked maturing of Indian democracy “in the direction of good governance, development and comprehensive security.”

Race for convenor
Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav is pitching for the post of NDA convenor with the backing of  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Advani a split personality: Cong
New Delhi, DHNS: The Congress on Tuesday made light of NDA’s endorsement of L K Advani as the prime ministerial candidate, saying his career had the “black mark” of Babri Masjid demolition. It also said he has a “split personality”. AICC media department chairman Veerappa Moily said the Opposition coalition has projected Mr Advani for a post “for which no vacancy exists”.

“Mr Advani’s dream to become the prime minister of India is mere kite-flying. He cannot achieve it in his lifetime, as he is not PM material. He cannot unite India and take all sections of the society along in a multi-religious country like ours,” Mr Moily said. He said with the Liberhan Commission report not yet out, “the Democle’s sword is hanging over Mr Advani’s head”. “He is a split personality. He regretted the demolition of Babri Masjid, but has no regret for the Godhra incident,” Mr Moily said.