Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj, who was in charge of the party's campaign in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, on Tuesday claimed that her party would make its presence felt in south India.
She was addressing a press conference after campaigning in the poll-bound states.
"Our party is winning in at least four constituencies in Kerala. I personally feel that we will do better than that," she told newspersons at the party headquarters on Tuesday.
The party did not win even a single seat in the three assemblies in the last state elections.
When queried on why she thought the saffron party will perform better this year, she said the BJP's grass-root workers have been active in the states.
"We have asked for votes to work as an effective opposition party and we have been able to deliver our message to the voters during our public rallies. Corruption and price rise were the key factors that have affected the people of the state. There is a strong feeling against the ruling parties in all these places and disenchantment with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance," she said.
She also denied reports that the Janata Dal had withdrawn its candidate against Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.
"When I learnt that (Janata Dal chief) Sharad Yadav has given a directive to his party nominee to withdraw his candidature, I got in touch with him. He told me that he would take corrective action and he asked the Janata Dal candidate not to withdraw from the contest," she claimed.
Swaraj also hailed the Election Commission for seizing over Rs 58 crore meant for distribution to voters in the three assembly constituencies.
"I hope they take stringent action against the culprits," she said.
However, Swaraj refused to answers questions about activist Anna Hazare's agitation over the Lok Pak Bill.
