An Opinion Poll conducted for Star News Channel has forecast a slender majority of 271-283 seats for the NDA coalition in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The poll by C-Voters, involving interviews with over 12,000 people across 120 constitutencies states that the Congress and its allies could get between 158 to 170 seats.
"One of the interesting findings of the poll is the impressive performance of parties that are not aligned with either of the two main blocks--While the left is making gains in West Bengal and Kerala, the Samajwadi Party is consolidating in UP and could win 30 seats", a press release issued by the private TV channel said.
The release said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continued to be NDA's "biggest trump card" with 50 per cent of the electorate wanting him to return as Prime Minister.
"But the biggest question for NDA is--will Vajpayee's charisma be enough to ensure a majority? Clearly, this is not a one-horse race", the release said.