There are "strong undercurrents" against BJP Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi which will severely dent BJP's poll prospects, an NCP spokesman said and claimed the Congress-led UPA will retain power with the help of regional and like-minded secular parties.
"The BJP campaign is on the lines of American Presidential election. This is far away from our Parliamentary system. Modi's projection as PM aspirant will not help BJP reach the magic figure (halfway mark of 272 seats)," NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said at a press conference here.
Dismissing BJP claim of winning 272 seats, he said the general elections will throw up a fractured mandate and there are "strong undercurrents" against Modi.
UPA 3 will come to power at the Centre on support from regional and like-minded secular parties, the NCP leader said, adding 2004 and 2009 results will be repeated in 2014.
Malik said the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has fielded 38 candidates in States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
On Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari declaring his support to Congress, Malik said it will make no difference to the voters.
The same religious leader had expressed support to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 but his party lost the elections, he said.
