Pawar urges Cong to be poll-ready

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s talk of the possibility of early Lok Sabha elections ahead of Parliament reconvening on April 22, after the recess, has added momentum to pre-poll activities in political circles.

“Elections are round the corner. Whether you like it or not, after the DMK’s decision, our position has become a little vulnerable in Parliament. So we have to be ready to go to polls anytime. I have suggested to the UPA chairperson to convene a meeting to discuss this and she is also of the same view,” Mr Pawar said in Thane. Amid conflicting voices on who should be the UPA’s candidate for Prime Minister, Mr Pawar said the coalition’s spearhead, the Congress, would have to take a call. “Compared to the last time, UPA has shrunk. It is only the Congress, NCP and National Conference... Majority party has to take the call. We will respect the majority party’s view,” he said.