BHOPAL: After a day-long seesaw battle brought the opposition Congress winning 114 seats in Madhya Pradesh, the party’s state president Kamal Nath sought an appointment from the state Governor Anandiben Patel for staking claim to form the next government in the state.
A letter addressed to the Governor and signed by the MP Congress chief was handed over to the Raj Bhawan late on Tuesday night seeking an urgent appointment for staking claim to form the government after the official declaration of all results.
In the letter, the state Congress chief mentioned that while the party has emerged the single largest party with majority support, it also has the support of the four independents who won the polls.“We sought the appointment tonight only, but we’re yet to get any response from the Raj Bhawan as yet. We hope to get the appointment from the Governor on Wednesday,” said NS Saluja, the media coordinator of MPCC chief.
Meanwhile, the meeting of party’s newly elected legislators will take place in Bhopal in presence of AICC Observer and ex-defence minister AK Antony at 4 pm on Wednesday. The legislature party leader will be elected in the meeting.
Meanwhile, towards the end of counting which was still underway in a few seats in Mahakoshal and Gwalior-Chambal region, the Congress was close to 116 majority figure with 114 seats (leadings and final results), while BJP was a close second with 109 seats (leadings and results).
As per the Election Commission official figures out of the 179 results declared so far, Congress had won 88 seats, while BJP had won 87 seats, followed by three independents and one seat to the Samajwadi Party. Also, while the BJP was leading in 22 seats, the Congress was ahead on 26 seats, the BSP on two seats and the Independent on one seat.
In total, the Congress has on 114 seats, BJP on 109 seats, SP on one seat, BSP on two seats and Independents on four seats.
With all four independents from Waraseoni, Bhagwanpura, Susner and Burhanpur being Congress rebels, the opposition party is confident of forming the next government with their support.
Power play
In a letter to the governor, the state Congress chief mentioned that while the party has emerged the single largest party with majority support, it also has the support of the four independents who won the polls.