Chandigarh, Mar 2 :  Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today hailed the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll and said this ‘’spells the beginning of the end of the discredited UPA regime at the centre that has brought the country to the brink of financial, administrative, moral and political collapse”.

In his first formal reaction to the announcement, Mr Badal said in Punjab, the SAD-BJP alliance was set to sweep the poll with margins that could be amazing to many.

He said the elections in the state would be completely free, fair and peaceful.

”Our security forces are fully competent to handle the poll process. The police in the state is completely de-politicised and will ensure impartial and peaceful elections,” he assured.

Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal also welcomed the announcement of the Election Commission and predicted a SAD-BJP victory.