Munde, however, remains bullish. Speaking to The Financial Express, he said that the Sena-BJP alliance would get a comfortable majority securing about 160 seats in assembly. "The alliance will win about 33 of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats like in 1996 elections. The SS-BJP combine has an edge over the Opposition which is divided. It will be a fight for survival for the Sonia Congress and Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party."

Asked whether there was a secret understanding between NCP and BJP, Munde said there was nosecret or open understanding with NCP. "The BJP is fighting the third successive assembly polls and fifth Lok Sabha elections with the Shiv Sena and there is no question of divorcing our alliance partner. Our alliance is natural and based on certain principles."

Speaking of the clean image of the alliance, Munde said that unlike Congress governments, the Shivshahi did not spare corrupt ministers as they were asked to resign from the state council of ministers. "It was the alliance government which instituted an inquiry against the controversial ministers."

He said, the alliance government has undertaken massive developmental works including 55 flyovers in Mumbai, the multi-crore Krishna valley development prokcet, and slum rehabilitation schemes.

"The people will vote for the alliance which has broken the monopoly of the Congress in the state and shown by its full-term rule that an Opposition can run a government," he said.

On the backdrop of claims, and counterclaims, what does BJP promise thevoters? Munde said the Sena-BJP combine's manifesto which is being prepared will comprise a promise to release new industrial policy. It will also give priority to the agriculture. "Nearly 65 per cent allocation of the total state budget will be made for the agricultural development." he said.