Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, now in Uttan (near Mumbai) for a four-day brainstorming session, favour holding of the Lok Sabha polls on schedule, in the 'latter half of 2004'.
The meeting in Uttan (Thane district), attended by both Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, deliberated on the timing of the Lok Sabha polls with some leaders reportedly suggesting it should be held along with the assembly elections (due at the end of this year) or immediately thereafter, depending on the poll outcome.
However, those favouring polls on schedule prevailed.
The BJP is aiming to win a two-thirds majority with its National Democratic Alliance allies and seat-sharing arrangements in some states were also discussed at the conclave called to finalise the party's strategy for the coming polls and prepare the blueprint for its 'Vision 2020'.
A comprehensive statewise review of the political situation was also undertaken, the sources added.