Kargil will not affect polls 8212; Advani

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18: The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will be held as per schedule even if the ongoing military operations in Kargil ha...

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18: The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will be held as per schedule even if the ongoing military operations in Kargil have to be continued, Union Home Minister L K Advani said here on Friday.

Speaking to newsmen before leaving for Delhi after a day8217;s visit to the State, Advani pointed out that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Election Commission have made it clear that the elections would take place during September-October.

Stating that India would not like the conflict in Kargil sector to escalate, the Home Minister, however, asserted that the country was prepared to face any eventuality.

Justifying the restraint being exercised by the Indian forces, Advani said that it helped the world realise who the quot;real aggressor wasquot;. quot;Even nations which have in the past supported Pakistan clearly expressed the view that it is guilty of violating the Line of Control,quot; he pointed out.

According to him, the country8217;s defence forces have succeeded in containing the enemy and it was quot;only a matter of timequot; before the intrusion was totally foiled. Despite the difficult terrain, the jawans have inflicted severe blows on the infiltrators.

Directly attacking Pakistan for the current conflict, the Home Minister averred that the country resorted to this step with three intentions: Resurrect the dying militancy, internationalise the Kashmir issue and use military force to change the LoC.

quot;But, Pakistan had not expected this kind of response from the Indian government. It did not realise that Prime Minister Vajpayee, who undertook a bus journey to Lahore to improve relations with the neighbour, would be equally tough when it comes to protecting the nation8217;s borders,quot; Advani observed.

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He felt that in timing the offensive Pakistan also sought to utilise the uncertain political situation in the country after the fall of Vajpayee government. But, this too misfired as the entire Opposition rallied behind Vajpayee in handling the situation.

Strongly defending Defence Minister George Fernandes, Advani said that he was perhaps the only Defence Minister who maintained a quot;wonderful rapportquot; with the jawans.