Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) camp is in trouble apparently for two reasons: firstly, the anti-NDA wave that swept Sonia Gandhi-led Congress party to a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh can be reflected in the outcome of the contest for 42 parliamentary seats in the state.

The ruling alliance may bag victory in just four seats, which will further recede its possibilities of retaining power. Earlier in 1999, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance won 36 parliamentary seats here.

Secondly, if a similar trend is witnessed in adjacent Tamil Nadu state holding 39 seats, it may virtually dash the NDA's hope of staking claim to form a coalition government.

There is recognition in the BJP camp that anything less than a tally of 250 seats will make it very difficult for the party to have a go at government-formation.

However, a spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office yesterday termed "baseless" the reports that said Vajpayee has consented to sit in the opposition if the NDA wins less than 250 seats.

On the other hand, the mood in the camp of Congress and its allies is upbeat as Sonia and CPI (M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet are busy wooing like-minded parties to shore up the strength of anti-NDA alternative.

The result of Andhra Pradesh assembly polls has radically changed the NDA's predictions and forced it to step up efforts to rope in more regional parties to touch the majority mark of 272 in the 543-strong Lok Sabha.

What was most striking about the result of the assembly polls outcome is that Congress and its allies have virtually swept all parts of the state, including those considered strongholds of the NDA, reflecting a strong anti-NDA surge.

Analysts predict if the result of the assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh is repeated in parliamentary elections, the NDA may not get more than four out of the 40 seats, much lower than even the worst projections by some exit polls.

The prime minister late Tuesday night held a threadbare discussion with senior party colleagues on the post-poll scene and the emerging situation in the backdrop of a hung parliament.

BJP sources, however, said even if the NDA were to get less than 250, it would not shy away from making efforts to form the government.

Sonia has set up a team of senior leaders to consult other leaders in the non-NDA formation, which includes Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. Surjeet is pitching in for Sonia to interact with NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. Both Pawar and Yadav have reservations about a Sonia-led alternative.

However, Sonia spoke to Pawar over telephone Monday and the two are due to meet on May 14, a day after the results are officially out, to discuss the post-poll scenario.

The left parties, which were gung-ho about formation of a Third Front, are now reconciled to a Congress-led alternative, especially after the result of the state assembly polls.

Meanwhile, Surjeet yesterday had a meeting with former prime minister HD Devegowda, whose Janata Dal (Secular) is expected to garner some parliamentary seats in southern state of Karnataka.