New Delhi: Dismissing Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) suggestions that Congress-led secular front has no leader, Congress today (Apr 29, 2004) said a "shocked and rattled" National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was attempting to create confusion and made it clear that Sonia Gandhi would be the Prime Minister if the party got majority on its own.

"We note with amusement the manner in which the BJP confronts its obvious defeat in the elections. Reliable reports suggest that BJP-led NDA is already peeping into other allies. They are rattled and going with a begging bowl to cobble up something," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

He said the ruling "National Devastated Alliance (NDA)" was so rattled that it had sought the urgent services of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to save the "sinking ship but no one is likely to join it".

Referring to the Defence Minister George Fernandes' statement that NDA's door was open to all, he said, "We know from Tehelka that Fernandes keeps an open house. Now the Defensive Minister is alluring all and sundry into the open house.

"Since we see the end of NDA, no one is likely to heed the Minister's desperate call," he said.

Another indication that the BJP-led NDA would not get majority was reports that the Prime Minister was contemplating retirement, he said, adding the BJP's own internal assessment indicated that the ruling coalition would be well below the majority.