New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls.
The elections were will held in five phases from April 16 to May 13 while the votes will be counted on May 16.
With the bugle for 15th Lok Sabha sounded, major political parties and leaders are busy making their final preparations.
Here are some quotes of major political leaders after the dates were announced:
HD Deve Gowda, former prime minister and JD (S) leader: Our Third Front is strong and growing. There will be no tie up with NDA or UPA. We are happy with poll dates. We will fight well.
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Third Front: Third Front will form the next government at the Centre. We are 100 per cent confident. Congress will get less than 100 seats or around 100 seats. Even BJP is down. I am not an aspirant for the PM's post. We have many capable leaders.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid: UPA will return to power. There should be no doubt about Congress prospects. We will return to power. We are trying to ensure that UPA gets enough seats to win on its own but if we require help from somebody, many like minded groups would be coming. I hope we will go through with this alliance.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Navin Chawla controversy: It is the duty of a person who believes in democracy to gently remind Election Commission of India its glorious past, present and may be future.
Orissa Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik: Now since that the election dates are declared all matters in this regard (seat sharing or alliance) should be decided in a day or two depending on the realistic picture. I wish people of Orissa will continue to have their faith in BJD and my party will perform well.
DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran: DMK had a meeting. We will continue alliance with Congress. We are open-minded. We welcome all parties to join us.
AICC General Secretary Gulam Nabi Azad: DMK has been a very strong ally of UPA. It has been one of the most successful allies with UPA.
DMK MP and M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi: The decision of Election Commission is good. We have enough time. Talks with Congress are in the initial phase.
CPI-M Spokesperson Nilotpal Basu: There is not a case of singling out West Bengal as far as elections in three phases are concerned as it is dependant on the number of constituencies. Congress should get worried about getting along Trinamool Congress and not left. Trinamool has a history of changing alliances.
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