Panaji, Mar 3 (IANS): After consistently claiming that the Congress-NCP alliance would win 25 seats in the Goa assembly, Congress leader Francisco Sardinha has scaled down the assessment to "21 to 23" seats of the total 40.

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson also shied away from being drawn into a public assessment of how many seats the party would win along with its ally the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).

Speaking to reporters, Congress working president Sardinha said according to him no party could sweep Saturday's polls.

"The Congress alliance will win between 21 and 23 seats," Sardinha said. When asked why had the 'target' dropped from 25 seats to "21 to 23" seats, Sardinha said: "I am a practical man."

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Goa Congress president Subhash Shirodkar had claimed that the party would easily win 25 seats.

BJP campaign committee head Shripad Naik also tried to steer clear from questions about the number of seats his party would clock.

But after persistent questioning he said the BJP-MGP alliance should win 25 seats.

Other political parties like the Trinamool Congress, Goa Vikas Party and the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) have said the smaller groups will be key to government formation in Goa.

Nearly 10.5 lakh voters are eligible to vote Saturday in Goa.