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'BJP will form

govt at its own

strength'

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Atal Behari Vajpayee, while claiming that the BJP would form the next government at the centre on its own strength, said his party would neither ask support nor give support to the Congress (I) in forming the federal government.

Addressing a press conference at Pathankot before launching the party poll campaign in Punjab on Saturday, he said if the BJP failed to get a majority, the party would still be able to form the government because several regional parties had promised to support it.

Vajpayee said, he did not agree with the prediction of a hung parliament adding the BJP would form "a strong and stable government."

The BJP is the main challenger to Prime Minister Narasimha Rao's Congress (I) party, which initiated a sweeping reform programme five years ago.

The BJP has promised free-market economic policies and welcomed foreign investors in high technology areas in its election manifesto.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress (I) Committee President, Jitendra Prasada has admitted it was possible that his party would fall short of an absolute majority in the coming Lok Sabha elections but it would be the Congress (I) led by Narasimha Rao which would ultimately form the government.-PPI