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PM appeals for a clear verdict from voters

Flaying the Opposition for imposing another election which will cost the nation a whopping Rs10,000 million, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked the people to rise above caste, sectarianism and parochialism while voting for the next Lok Sabha.

"There was no issue, whatsoever, for bringing down the government," he said, adding that the week of instability had resulted in a loss of Rs500 billion for small investors.

In his address to the nation, telecast tonight, Vajpayee said, "I sometimes wonder: as there was no issue, was the fact that we were doing everything possible to make India strong and prosperous the reason the government was brought down?"

Charging the Opposition parties with pushing the country into an 'abyss', he said the government would not be able to take policy decisions till the elections are completed even though issues of great urgency are coming up "every other week".

"What should we be doing in regard to international treaties, decisions relating to the security of the country, decisions that directly affect your welfare," he asked.

UNI

For the full text of the prime minister's address, click here

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