India's BJP pulls further ahead - opinion poll

Supporters of Gujarat's chief minister and Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate for India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), hold BJP symbols during a rally being addressed by Modi ahead of the 2014 general elections, in the southern Indian city of Chennai February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Babu

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has picked up more popular support and remains best placed to lead a coalition government after a national election due by May, an opinion poll showed on Thursday.

The ruling Congress will slump to its weakest showing in parliament since independence in 1947, the Times Now-CVoter poll forecast, presenting a challenge to Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the party in its toughest election battle yet.