Addressing a press conference here today, Sharma was non-committal on assuring a Union Territory status for Chandigarh,and parried questions on the issue of transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.

"BJP's stand on the issue wil be finalised only after the PM holds discussions with all sections of society to bring about a consensus on the issue", he said, adding that "the views of the people of Chandigarh in this regard would be conveyed to the higher authorities."

Belonging to Delhi, the BJP leader denied he was an "outsider" for the Chandigarh constituency, claiming that he was for the people of Chandigarh and would stand by them on every occasion, as in the past. Sharma said he would have a supplementary election manifesto for the Chandigarh constituency.

When asked about his contesting from here inspite of having claimed sometime back that he would not contest, Sharma said, by doing so he had only obeyed the party high-command.

Regarding curbing of dissidence, Sharma said he would work to promote unity in the party. On the re-entry of dissidents in the local unit, Sharma said the party was open to the idea and it would depend on their behaviour in the forthcoming elections. Incidentally, former BJP MP from the City Satya Pal Jain and all those municipal councillors owing allegiance to him, were conspicious by their absence.

Sharma, later expressed confidence that the NDA under the able leadership of Atal Behari Vajpayee would form a stable government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. He said that the electorate had to choose an alliance of different political combinations, which could give a stable government at the Centre for a full five-year term.

He disclosed that the party'd central election committee would meet in the capital on August 10 to shortlist the remaining candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. He added that the BJP would also review its decision on joining the INLD-led government in Haryana after the forthcoming elections.