Nitish predicts early general elections

Bihar Chief Minister and NDA leader Nitish Kumar predicted early general election in the country on Monday, while pointing out that the crisis at the Centre is serious.

Kumar, who spoke over the issue for the first time, said that the credibility of the Left parties and the prestige of the UPA Government were at stake following the stand-off between the two sides. The Left has extended an ultimatum to the UPA Government and now if it retracts, it will lose face. Also, if the Government steps back to appease the Left, then it will lose its prestige.

8220;Even if the two warring sides find a middle path and the Government survives, it will have no meaning. In such a situation the likelihood of early polls becomes strong8221;, Kumar said.

On the nuclear deal with the US, he said that majority is against it and hence, the Central Government should reconsider the issue.

Urging the Prime Minister and the Government to come out more clearly on the deal, he said, 8220;The Prime Minister is saying something while the US is saying something else.8221;