Kozhikode: Union Finance Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh today (May 7, 2004) said that the BJP was not at all "nervous" as claimed by the Opposition, about the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls and stated that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would return to power with an absolute majority.

"Neither is the BJP nervous nor is there any doubt about NDA returning to power," he said, addressing a meet-the-press, organised by the Calicut Press Club.

Referring to the exit polls, Jaswant said though such surveys showed variations, all of them generally pointed to the NDA gaining the maximum number of seats. "Therefore, the NDA will certainly retain rule," he said.

Asked if the BJP was aiming for a single-party rule, he said, "Even if the BJP gains a full majority, we are committed to a NDA Government."

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On the Congress' allegation that the economic policies pursued by the NDA had resulted in growing unemployment and poverty, Jaswant said the Centre had done well in creating new job opportunities.

However, creation of employment is not the Centre's sole responsibility. "How many jobs has the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in Kerala been able to create?" he asked.

He also said for the first time, he felt that the BJP would open its account in Kerala.