Asked about mid-term polls, Patil says wait and watch

KOPARGAON: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sunday sidestepped questions about the possibility of a mid-term election following the stiff opposition to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal by the Left parties providing crucial support to the UPA Government.

"Thamba ani paha (wait and watch)," he told here when asked about the possibility of early polls.

Patil was here in Ahmednagar district after visiting the Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi along with some family members.

The government has been able to curtail the menace of Naxalism to a great extent by strengthening intelligence apparatus and deploying more security forces in the affected areas with modern weaponry, he said.

"We do not believe in engaging them in violent ways but rather prefer speaking to them. Many Naxals are surrendering due to this policy adopted by us."

Asked about the wish he made to Sai Baba, Patil said, "I wished we do not have any law and order problems in the country and farmers' woes comes to an end."