London: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said that Pakistan is conducting "farcical" Parliamentary elections and no one takes them seriously.

He also accused Islamabad of breaking pledges to stop cross-border attacks in Kashmir. He, however, ruled out a war with Islamabad.

In an interview published in 'The Independent' daily on October 8 Vajpayee coupled his remarks with withering criticism of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, whom he portrayed as a "strong-headed" dictator, "who is conducting farcical Parliamentary elections and who has broken pledges to stop cross-border attacks in Kashmir".

"No one takes them (Pakistan elections) seriously," Vajpayee said. Musharraf has portrayed October 10 poll as a transition to a civilian government under a Prime Minister. But Vajpayee scoffed at this, saying Musharraf was "not interested in democracy or democratic values".

Vajpayee, who is on a six-day European tour and will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Chequers, on October 12, said India would be ready to resume dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, if Musharraf stops cross-border terrorism.

Answering a volley of questions on Indo-Pak relations, cross-border terrorism and elections in Kashmir, Vajpayee said, "There will be no war. Pakistan is a neighbouring country and we would like to develop normal relations, but whenever India has taken the initiative for a dialogue, its efforts have not succeeded."

The daily commented whether Vajpayee's latest comments will allay fears of war is questionable.

PTI