BJP hints at Lok Sabha polls by end of March

"We prefer elections to be held within 45 days of dissolution of Lok Sabha. If dissolution comes by end of January or first week of February, elections can be announced by February 15 and the process can be completed by March end," BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan told reporters.

As hectic preparations were on for the two-day national executive meeting beginning on Sunday where the party will formalise its early poll plans, Mahajan said the month of September, the original schedule for LS polls, is the 'worst month' to conduct elections in view of rainy season in many parts of the country.

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"Ideally, we think February is the best month for elections. Since it is not possible now to conduct polls in February, we want elections at the earliest possible time," he said while participating in a 'Meet the Press' programme organised by Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ).

While asserting that his party would not force a schedule on EC, Mahajan, however, said "The twin duty of Election Commission is to ensure free and fair polls and to give a popular government to people at the earliest. These two duties are not exclusive of each other".