UPA to get 234 seats, NDA 186; Advani best for PM: survey

The UPA is expected to get 234 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with Congress emerging as the single largest party with 144 seats, according to a countrywide survey conducted for 'The Week' magazine.

The survey has projected 186 seats for the opposition NDA with BJP being victorious on 140 seats, while the Third Front will be cornering 112 seats.

The Week/CVoter survey projected senior BJP leader L K Advani as the best choice for the post of Prime Minister with the backing of 15 per cent of those interviewed followed closely by incumbent Manmohan Singh, who found favour with 14 per cent participants.

11 per cent of those interviewed felt that Congress President Sonia Gandhi was the best choice for the Prime Minister's post, followed by Rahul Gandhi (10 per cent), BSP supremo Mayawati (9 per cent) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (8 per cent).

Among the UPA ranks, Congress has been predicted to win 144 seats followed by Samajwadi Party (32), NCP (13), DMK and allies (13), Trinamool Congress (11), RJD-LJP (15), UDF (two), National Conference (three) and JMM (one).

In the NDA, the BJP is projected to win 140 seats followed by JD(U) (18), Shiv Sena (12), Asom Gana Parishad (five), Akali Dal (five), RLD (four) and INLD (two).