BJP hopes high, expects 160 seats

After four phases of polling, the BJP’s assessment is that it could reach within striking distance of forming the next government once results are declared. HT Correspondent reports.

After four phases of polling, the BJP’s assessment is that it could reach within striking distance of forming the next government once results are declared.

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Inputs from the field indicated that losses it might incur in Rajasthan could be made up for in Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. BJP does not expect to significantly improve its tally in Delhi.

“We expect to emerge as the single largest party and then start attracting parties from the existing Third Front and other groups to form a government,” said Arun Jaitley, general secretary and key strategist. Party president Rajnath Singh added that the BJP was already in touch with many parties for post poll alliances. “We’re sure an NDA led government will be formed,” he said.

“We had peaked in Rajasthan in the last election, winning 21 of 25 seats,” said Jaitley. “We may lose some seats there. But we’ve taken care of the internal problems that made us lose the assembly polls last November.”

Overall the BJP expects its tally to be around 160 seats. With the Congress divided on backing a Third Front government, it hopes parties like the TDP and the Trinamool Congress will join the NDA.