``I am sure we will win atleast 35 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats and 165 out of the 288 assembly seats,'' Rane said in an interview to The Indian Express after his three-day whirlwind tour of Amravati and Nagpur divisions.

Justifying his claim, Rane said during the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress had polled 42 per cent of votes, while Sena-BJP alliance had secured 41 per cent of votes. ``But then, the Congress was supported by RPI and Samajwadi Party. Now, in view of the split and since there is no alliance, Congress is no more in a position to repeat its performance,'' the Chief Minister said.

Coming down heavily on his detractors, Rane said despite satisfactory performance, they were criticising the alliance government forobvious political reasons.

``It is true that we could not meet the target of providing free houses to 40 lakh slumdwellers in a time bound period. However, of the other promises in the election manifesto, we have implemented 90 per cent of the assurances in letter and spirit,'' Rane pointed out.

Rane said the much-publicised scheme to provide free houses to the slumdwellers failed to take off for reasons beyond the control of the alliance government. ``Owing to unexpected fall in the prices of real estate, we were unable to implement the scheme, which was based on resource mobilisation through disposal of additional Floor Space Index,'' Rane reasoned.

However, despite adverse circumstances, the alliance government is determined to provide free houses to slumdwellers, a dream project of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. ``In a couple of months, we will provide free houses to three lakh slumdwellers. For the remaining, the newly set up Shivshahi Punarvasan Prakalp is redrafting a new action plan. I amsure, all the remaining slumdwellers will be get the promised accommodation in due time,'' Rane said.

On providing employment to jobless youths, Rane said his government has provided jobs to an estimated 15 lakh youths during the last four years. ``When we took over the reigns of the state, there were 27 lakh jobless persons on the live register of the employment exchanges. Since we have undertaken massive construction activity, like flyovers, roads and irrigation projects, we were able to provide jobs to about 15 lakh youths. In addition, we succeeded in providing self employment opportunities to quite a large number of youths,'' Rane claimed.

Commenting on the row over Sonia Gandhi's foreign origins, he said the issue raised by Sharad Pawar has no relevance, since it was Bal Thackeray, who had specifically stated that a foreigner can not become the Prime of India.''.

On the financial situation, Rane said it was unfortunate that his government was being criticised, despite the fact it had the financialdiscipline of the highest order. ``Ever since the alliance government came to power, barring on one occasion, it has never taken an overdraft. Not a single scheme has been scrapped and repayment of loan as well as interest on it is on schedule,'' he said.

Rane said he has given a fresh target for resource mobilisation to further strengthen the financial situation of the state. ``When I reviewed some of the crucial departments, I found that the arrears of sales tax, excise and stamp duty were mounting every year. Now I have given them a target of Rs 1500 crore for the current year,'' he said.