Bhopal: Claiming two-third majority for NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and more than 272 seats for his party in coming Assembly polls, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president M Venkaiah Naidu today (Mar 2, 2004) said the existence of "sinking" Congress would be at stake after the elections as the wave is stronger than that in 1977.

"As per our assessment, BJP would cross the half-way mark and NDA is set to secure two-third majority in Lok Sabha elections in view of a country-wide wave in its favour which is even stronger than what witnessed during 1977 polls," Naidu said.

"BJP would also form its first Government in Karnataka and we are quite confident and clear about it," he asserted and said the wave against Congress in 1977 was largely confined to Northern, Eastern and Western parts of the country, while this time there is a strong wave in favour of BJP in South as well.

Terming Congress as a "sinking ship", Naidu said traditional Congress leaders and even members of Gandhi-Nehru family are making a beeline to join BJP as "their leadership is uninspiring. They have no clarity on leadership, philosophy and unity".

"Even there is a change in the mindset of minorities and many of them are keen to join BJP as they are fed up with the Congress approach in treating them simply as a vote bank. They are now all praise for Vajpayee's leadership, he claimed.

On giving tickets to Muslims, he said it would be decided considering their acceptability, performance and other factors.