The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will keenly watch the performances of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Telangana as the three key regional players slated to do well in the Lok Sabha battle are potential post-poll partners.

The CVoter-IANS opinion poll has predicted that these three parties -- YSRCP, TRS and BJD -- are expected to win 36 seats. Breaking it down further, YSRCP is expected to get 11 in Andhra Pradesh, BJD may win 9 in Odisha and TRS is likely to sweep Telangana (16 out of 17 seats).

The support from these three parties is not only likely to take the NDA past the majority but also will help it in crossing 300 seats in the Lok Sabha. The NDA is predicted to get only 264 seats, falling eight short of the half-way mark of 272 to form the government.

While the principal fight in the Lok Sabha battle 2019 remains between Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA and Rahul Gandhi-led UPA, the third block of non-BJP and non-Congress regional parties will have a major say in deciding the next government.

Within the NDA, Janata Dal-United and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Bihar are expected to win 20 seats while Shiv Sena is going to emerge another dominant partner with 14 seats.

The Shiv Sena, which has been one of the most vocal critics of the Modi government, is expected to lose four seats.