LONDON (PTI): Indian Prime Minister Narasimsha Rao on March 15 virtually ruled out the possibility of early elections in Jammu and Kashmir saying the consequences of haste could be disastrous. “We would go for it fully prepared as the consequences of a hasty election can be disastrous” Rao said in an exclusive interview to the BBCs Hindi service here

He illustrated his point citing the example of Punjab where an abrupt Decision of holding elections in 1991 had ted to killing of 27 candidates. Things cannot be set Right “by pushing & button” he said.

Rao said he had the objective and commitment to lead the Congress party in the 1996 general elections and brushed aside the question of any challenge to his leadership. “I think it is my duty TO lead the party as its leader” he said.

Rao said new alliances and parties would come up in Jammu and Kashmir once elections are held under the provisions of the Indian constitution. The prime minister said he did not rule out the participation of the old Democratic leadership in the new political initiatives there are parties and leaders which have run governments in the past and who are capable of running them in future he said.

We are in touch with everyone who is interested in peace in Kashmir” he told Pervaiz Alam of BBC.

Consultations are being held both at the national ay well as the local level in Kashmir” he said Rad spoke to the BBC shortly after talking to British Prime Minister John Major. Rao said the issue of Kashmir surfaced in his discussion with the British prime minister though it was not the focus of the dialogue referring to the situation in the Himalayan valley he said “both the gravity and intensity of the Situation are worsening.” In an Obvious reference (o Pakistan hic Sid that terrorism was being thrust upon India Discussing the Indo-British trade the Prime Minister said a lot of progress has been made in the past one year. He expressed the hope that the bilateral trade would be further strengthened in future.” We have agreed to give another year to the Indo-British partnership initiative for completing their task” he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994