No question of early Lok Sabha elections: Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad

JAMMU: Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today ruled out early elections to Parliament and said it would be held as per its periodicity.

"There is no question of early Lok Sabha elections... There are no grounds for it," Azad, the minister for Health and Family Welfare, told reporters here on the sidelines of one-day convention of state Congress executive members here.

"Parliament elections would be held as per its periodicity and will not be held a single day before its due timing," he said.

He was replying to a volley of questions on early elections, Kishtwar communal clashes and relief to quake-hit areas.

Replying to a query on the communal clashes in Kishtwar, Azad said the ministerial team deployed by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has done a commendable job as they have created good atmosphere by bringing both the communities together.

"The team has filed their report and I hope that the issue of immediate compensation for people whose properties were damaged in the riot would soon be decided by the state government," Azad said.

Referring to the implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act, Azad said ministers from both the regions had strongly batted for its implementation and he was hopeful it would happen soon. "I am hopeful that these recommendations would soon be implemented," he added.