New Delhi, February 5
Setting a clear goal for the coming Lok Sabha poll, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked the NDA MPs to shed complacency and work wholeheartedly to convert the “feel good” factor into votes in favour of the coalition.
Addressing the last meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party on the last day of the 13th Lok Sabha, Mr Vajpayee exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power with a greater majority to rule for another five years.
The highlight of the meeting was the presence of MPs from the AIADMK, in alliance with which the BJP has decided to contest the Lok Sabha poll in Tamil Nadu.
Asserting that his government had shown how a coalition could be run successfully, Mr Vajpayee asked the NDA members to highlight the achievements of the government in economic, social and political spheres.
In the same vein he cautioned the members against complacency. “No doubt the ‘feel good’ atmosphere could reap rich poll dividends, but there should be no complacency on the poll preparation front despite the government’s successful tenure.”
The Prime Minister appreciated Finance Minister Jaswant Singh for presenting an interim Budget which gave benefits to all sections of society, both in rural and urban areas, especially farmers and agriculture labour.
He also praised Defence Minister George Fernandes who has been cleared by the commission that probed the Tehelka scam. In his inimitable style, Mr Vajpayee said, “Fernandes has acquired the glitter that gold gets after coming through fire”.
NDA Convener Fernandes, in a brief address, said this was only a short break before the next session and was confident that the NDA would get a clear majority in the Lok Sabha elections.
