BJP will get absolute clear-cut mandate, says Modi

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Tuesday termed as "irrelevant" the speculation that the party may have to rely on support of other key regional parties like the Trinamool Congress or the BSP that may refuse to back him as prime minister.

In an interview to ABP News, Modi, whom opinion polls project as likely to become India's next prime minister, said he was very confident that the Bharatiya Janata Party would get a "clear-cut mandate".

He dismissed the projection of poll pundits that the BJP may have to take support of regional parties like the Trinamool Congress, the AIADMK or the Bahujan Samaj Party.

"I say with confidence, as I have been touring around the country and I am a student of political science... the BJP will this time get an ekdum (absolute) clear-cut mandate, and will come to power," he told the TV channel.

He also said the National Democratic Alliance will gain in strength.

Modi said the BJP's alliance with 25 parties would fetch the required votes to form the government, thereby rendering "irrelevant" the question of having to align with the Trinamool and other such parties.