A day after exit polls forecast a return of the NDA at the Centre, enthused State BJP leaders predicted Uttar Pradesh would give them more than 74 of its 80 seats, a claim dismissed by the SP-BSP camp whose top leaders met to discuss post-poll scenarios.
At the UP BJP office here, pointing to electoral maps of the state, detailing parliamentary and assembly constituencies, party leaders and functionaries from various districts indicated places from where SP-BSP alliance candidates would lose and claimed the SP-BSP alliance would break up after the results are announced.
As for SP-BSP, they do not agree with the projections that the NDA would get over 300 seats.
Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati appeared to be opting for a wait-and-watch policy till results are announced on May 23.
"The future course of action will be decided only after the final results are announced. Till then, she (Mayawati) will be in the state capital," a party source said, requesting anonymity.
Multiple exit polls have suggested that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance is likely to dent the Bharatiya Janata Party's 2014 tally in Uttar Pradesh, though it might not be enough to throw a spanner in the formation of an NDA government at the Centre. Against the backdrop of the exit poll projections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav drove to the residence of Mayawati in the morning and held talks with for about an hour.
"We (SP-BSP-RLD) should get nothing less than 55 seats as the alliance has done exceedingly well. We expect around 60 (out of 80) seats. We do not agree with exit poll projections," another source said.
Meanwhile, with most BSP leaders preferring to remain in their districts after hectic electioneering, there was not much activity in the party camp here.
"The party leaders will come to the state capital only after May 23. They have been asked to stay in their respective districts and oversee the counting process," a party leader said.
Roads outside the BSP office and Mayawati's residence reflected the caution with which the party is treading.
Aiming to check the return of NDA at the Centre, Mayawati had opted to sink decades-long differences to enter into an alliance with the SP for the Lok Sabha election.
In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal bagged two, the Samajwadi Party five and the Congress just two, while the BSP drew a blank.
Akhilesh Yadav went into a huddle with senior party leaders as the SP headquarters remained bereft of any enthusiasm.
The SP office here is generally abuzz with activities of party workers but it was not so this morning though some supporters were seen discussing outcome of the alliance with the BSP and the RLD.
"The exit polls show us in good light. Some of the polls even give us over 50 seats. We are enthused with the exit polls, but are keeping our fingers crossed till the results are out on May 23," said Ajay Pratap Singh, a party leader from Sitapur, exuding confidence that the alliance candidate will win in his district.
A shop outside the SP office which usually does brisk business wore a deserted look with no buyers. Some said the torrid weather also played a role.
"We hope after the counting, if alliance gets required number of seats, there will be demand for flags and other materials," said Manoj, a vendor.
A group of young people having tea at a stall outside the party office were seen busy discussing results and credibility of exit polls.