Nanded (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has ruled out mid-term Assembly elections and said that State Assembly would not be dissolved ahead of its schedule.

"Election to the Legislative Assembly would be held as per schedule only after the present House expires," Shinde, in Nanded to inaugurate a five-day "Nanded Lokotsav", told reporters yesterday (Jan 8, 2004) before leaving for Aurangabad.

When asked if the political atmosphere is not congenial to the party for going for early elections, he reiterated there is no need at all for going for polls before the scheduled time.

On alliance with NCP, Shinde said, "They are demanding 50 per cent seats in the State. Things will be sorted in a meeting that is to take place soon."

When asked about allegations of involvement of some of his Cabinet colleagues in the fake stamp paper scam, the Chief Minister replied, "Such allegations are common. But the scam was there even during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena Government and SIT (Special Investigation Team) is probing into the scam. The facts would come out eventually."

Shinde also announced special packages for the development of Marathwada and Konkan region and said "details would be announced next month".