The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday ruled out snap polls to the Lok Sabha saying it needs more time for preparation.
"I am 100 per cent sure they will be on schedule," party general secretary Pramod Mahajan said in the background of the BJP's impressive performance in the assembly elections. He was the in charge of his party's campaign for the polls in the four states.
"Election Commission in India has become so independent that they do not allow you to decide the date," he said. If the prime minister dissolves the Lok Sabha right now, the earliest the elections can be held will be in April-May.
Asked if the BJP is against an early general election, he said, "We still need time (for preparing for the polls) in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Tamil Nadu. In my opinion, we need three to four months (to prepare) if we are to go beyond the 180 seats (the party has at present)."
If the elections are held in September, he said, the BJP is confident of retaining power.