BJP likely to contest 370 Lok Sabha seats — Govindacharya

However, he said the situation was unclear in Andhra Pradesh where “we are preparing to contest all seats on our own as we did in the last polls, but on the other hand, talks are also on for reaching an understanding on seat sharing with the TDP”.

There were differences in the perception of the ground realities between the BJP and the TDP because Assembly elections are being held simultaneously there, he said.

On the merger of the Samata Party and the Lok Shakti with the Janata Dal, Govindacharya said the National Democratic Alliance would consider the new development on July 31.

He said talks on reaching an understanding on sharing of seats with alliance partners in different states were likely to be completed by August 5.

The BJP would contest the coming Lok Sabha elections on the basis of achievements of the Vajpayee Government that secured recognition for the country not only as a military and nuclear power, but also proved its diplomatic prowess.

He cited three major achievements of the Vajpayee Government on the economic front — largest-ever foreign exchange reserve, more than 200 metric tonnes of foodgrains production and the lowest rate of inflation.

BJP did not wish to make the victory of Indian forces in Kargil an election issue and if it became one because of others,“we shall not indulge in it”, he said.

Claiming that the Congress was losing ground, he said BJP had now become a central steering force in Indian politics.

Asked to comment on the Election Commission’s decision to seek papers on the telecom policy, the BJP general secretary said the BJP did not want to join issue with the Election Commission.

“There could have been an independent debate over the Election Commission’s decision, but since we are in the thick of elections, it is no time for debate,”he said.

He said the Congress rhetoric about the Government’s failure in Kargil “seemed to be formed by what is said in Pakistan”.

He said there was a need for reviewing national defence policies of the last 15 years to make defence preparedness stronger.