New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) is likely to consolidate its position in the penultimate phase of polling on May 5 and manage a "slender majority" by getting 267 to 279 seats in the Lok Sabha, an opinion poll conducted by 'Star News' in association with 'Telegraph', 'Dainik Bhaskar' and 'C-Voter' said today (May 3, 2004).

The poll gave Congress and its allies 169 to 181 seats and others 88 to 100 seats, according to a release issued by 'Star News'.

The poll, conducted for 83 Parliamentary seats going to polls on the fourth phase, gave the BJP-led NDA 48 to 56 seats and Congress and its allies 12 to 20 besides 11 to 19 seats for others.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

The survey, involving over 6,000 respondents, covered 65 seats in four States and was conducted between April 28 and May 2.

The poll predicted a major gain for BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in Uttar Pradesh where it was likely to get 13 of the 30 seats going to polls on May 5. While Congress and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) were likely to get four seats each, the SP was pegged at nine.

In Bihar, where polling will be held for remaining 12 of the 40 seats, NDA was likely to get eight and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Congress alliance three and others one.

BJP seemed poised to win 18 of the 25 seats in Rajasthan, the rest going to Congress, the release said.

Madhya Pradesh also looked to be going the BJP way, the poll said projecting 10 of the 12 seats going to polls falling in its kitty. The Congress could win two seats, the release added.