PM dares Cong to bring no-trust move

JODHPUR, Oct 3 (PTI) — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today dared the Congress to bring a no- confidence motion against his government and asserted it, along with other parties, would not succeed in toppling the BJP-led coalition at the Centre.

"Wishes of the Congress and other political parties, which are uniting against the ruling combine, will not be fulfilled as my government will complete its five-year term," he said, launching his party’s campaign for the Rajasthan Assembly poll at a mammoth rally here.

The Prime Minister said his government was functioning well and would soon achieve its aim of providing good governance.

"We have proved all those wrong who are saying my government will not survive. My government is functioning well.... I am confident it will achieve its aim of providing good governance."

Asserting his government would give a stable, honest and welfare governance, Mr Vajpayee challenged the Congress to bring a no-confidence motion against the coalition in the Lok Sabha.

"The Congress will not do that as it knows very well it cannot do that," he said.

He said his government was determined to fight corruption at all levels and was for the empowerment of women.

He, however, added: "We know the limitations of a coalition government. But within that limitations we are doing a fairly good job."

On the nuclear issue, Mr Vajpayee said the country was forced to go nuclear for its own defence needs.

India conducted the nuclear test to make its voice heard by "deaf ears", he said, adding that after the Pokhran tests, the world had started understanding "our security concerns in the right perspective".

"We will not attack any one nor allow any one to attack us. Today we are self-reliant in our defence preparedness and if any one attacks us, it will have to lick the dust," Mr Vajpayee said.