NDA doomed: Cong

The Congress on Wednesday insisted it was making ‘‘substantial’’ increase in its present number of seats and claimed the NDA was heading for ‘‘disintegration’’. It also ridiculed Defence Minister George Fernandes’ plea to the EC to restrain Congress president Sonia Gandhi from raising the coffin scam and asked if raking up of the Bofors issue repeatedly had not demoralised the armed forces.

‘‘We feel he is worried. It is the Congress’ responsibility and duty to bring to the people’s notice, the misdeeds of the BJP-led NDA government,’’ party spokesperson Anand Sharma said. He asked why the PM and his Deputy were ‘‘begging for votes’’ on the NDA stability issue.