On board special IAF aircraft: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on August 2 said the government was holding informal consultations with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies and Election Commission members on synchronising Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Stating that five years in government "have made us intensely conscious" of the fact that the ruling party remaining in a continuous election mood was a "serious handicap" for good governance, Advani told reporters, "We have informally been sounding members of the Election Commission on the issue."

Similarly, the party has also held informal talks "at least with one major ally" and with different people in other parties, he said on his way to Pune for attending some functions.

Asked whether the ally was Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Advani said "perhaps".

About the reaction of allies and Election Commission members to the proposal, he said, "There is lot of appreciation. Generally people agree."

To a query whether it would be taken up formally, he said, "First let it be decided by the government."

However, the Deputy Prime Minister said, due to the ruling party remaining in election mood continuously "every important decision including the budget is influenced by the consideration as to how the voter will react".

Advani said despite multiplicity of parties, "if BJP and congress agree on major approaches it will be easy to implement".

PTI