Lucknow: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (May 5, 2004) exuded confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would touch the magic figure of 272 and form the Government at the Centre.

Flashing victory sign to a battery of newsmen and cameramen after casting his vote, Vajpayee said he did not know on what basis Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was claiming formation of a third front Government by uniting various parties after the elections.

"NDA would get the magic figure of 272 and would form the new Government," he said.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

To a question that his "friend" Ram Jethmalani was pitted against him in the prestigious Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, Vajpayee quipped "now our friendship would further be strengthened".

When asked about the exit polls, Vajpayee said he had no problem with it.