BJP spokesman Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here that neither did the Communist Party of India (Marxist) get five per cent of the votes nor did it constitute a quorum in the Lok Sabha and efforts to prop up a Communist Government would be an "attempt to play a fraud on the nation".

A meeting of the BJP and its allies expressed the hope that the President would take a decision by today to end the political uncertainty. The BJP's partners, including DMK, National Conference, Haryana Vikas Party and Indian National Lok Dal, took part in the meeting.

He said the Congress should not be given more time to explore the possibilities of an alternative government and the President should take note of the "changed stance" of the AIADMK and some other parties with regard to a Congress-led ministry.

"If aCommunist-led Government is allowed to take over, they will put the clock back with regard to reforms," he said, adding, "We hope the President will not accept such an arrangement."

Naidu said the Congress had given a commitment to carry liberalisation forward and the Communists had gone on record opposing the economic policies of the Congress and the BJP-led governments.

He said the meeting of the BJP and its allies reviewed the political situation and felt there was no viable alternative to the Vajpayee Government due to "inherent contradictions" in such an arrangement."Power brokers and parties which are facing serious charges are only interested in such an arrangement," Naidu said.

"There is no viable alternative government possible other than that of Vajpayee and the President should take note of this," he said.

"During the last 10 days, the Congress has failed, the Third Front is dead and a fourth front is yet to be born. The entire nation is agitated and restive over the developments," Naidusaid.

"We are hopeful that the process of consultations (initiated by the President) will be over at the earliest and a decision will be taken by today to end the political uncertainty.'' Asked about Home Minister L K Advani's meeting with former prime minister Chandra Shekhar, Naidu said, "We have nothing to share with the press."

Senior alliance leaders like Ramakrishna Hegde, George Fernandes and Surjit Singh Barnala besides BJP president Kushabhau Thakre were at the meeting.