Two-thirds majority is still very much within the grasp of the BN in the coming 10th Sarawak state polls, said Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He said this was despite the fact that this election was the most keenly contested one with a total of 213 candidates including 16 who are women.

"I am a bit surprised and puzzled as well with the big number of candidates," Taib told reporters after a 'meet-the-people' session at Rh Jelani anak Daud, a 66-door longhouse in Nanga Lesih near Kanowit today.

Also present were BN candidates Gramong Juna and Alexander Vincent who are contesting the Machan and Ngemah seats respectively.

Taib said the opposition were not doing themselves any favour by fielding too many candidates, which only served to split their votes.

Taib said the BN had its core supporters who would not be easily swayed, and that "only the floating voters will want to try different candidates."

On opposition parties relying on "parachute candidates" (candidates from outside the contested constituencies), he said the possibility was great for them to "end up in the bushes".

"We in BN, we choose quality candidates from outside to contest only with the consent and support of the locals," he added.    

In his speech, Taib said the BN brand of politics was to bring development and progress to the people and not about spreading lies and slander and making personal attacks.

- Bernama