Indian party wants opinion polls banned

A senior official of the Indian Congress Party has called for a ban on opinion polls in the run-up to the general election.

The official, H.Hanumanthappa, alleged that previous opinion polls were managed in favour of the Hindu-nationalist B-J-P.

He was speaking as the latest survey predicted gains for the B-J-P.

Meanwhile, the Congress president Sitaram Kesri has appealed for a halt to the current run of resignations from the party.

A number of prominent members have quit since the election was called, accusing Mr Kesri of bungling the party leadreship.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service