Gujral hints it8217;s poll time again

NEW DELHI, Nov 24: Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral hinted again today that elections were round the corner.

Gujral, addressing the national conference of the Commission for Backward Classes, was explaining the various schemes taken up his government for the economic up-lift of backward groups. Midway through his speech, he said, 8220;The election is coming.8221;

Stressing the need for a strong anti-defection law, he said that the electoral verdict was 8220;defeated8221; when elected representatives crossed over from one party to another. Gujral said that in the last few months, several initiatives had been taken to institutionalise the government and bring transparency. He expressed the hope that the present Parliament would be able to pass three or four important bills despite the current political instability.