INC clocks 114: stands better chance to form govt in MP

With Congress clocking 114 seats, just two short of the majority, in a nail-biting electoral contest in Madhya Pradesh, Governor Anandiben Patel is now left with very little option other than to invite the single largest party to form a government.

If Congress makes it in MP, it will be a 3:0 victory for the principal Opposition party in the Hindi heartland vis a vis BJP as in other states--Telangana and Mizoram, regional parties had won.

While Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the 230-member state Assembly, BJP is not far behind, having won 109 seats. Mayawati's BSP has won two seats while Samajwadi Party managed to get one. Four independents-all rebel Congressmen- are close to former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh.

SP leader Ramgopal Yadav has already made it clear that his party has no qualms in supporting Congress in government formation while Congress president Rahul Gandhi also flagging that the ideology of SP and BSP does not gel with that of the BJP.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor last night itself staking claim to form the government but BJP also asserting that numbers are in its favour with independents backing it. Governor House had made it clear that it will take a decision only after the final results announced by the EC.

Since there was no pre-poll alliance in the state, going by the convention, Congress, being the single largest party, stands a better chance of getting invited first to form the government. But the Governor has vast discretionary powers in these matters and it is upon her to take a view on which formation can provide a stable government.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accepting people's verdict in all the states including Madhya Pradesh, there is a view that the ruling party may not like to risk any dent in its image by dabbling in uncertainty just six months before next general elections. More so the experience of Karnataka is fresh, where it could not muster numbers despite being the single largest party as Congress and JDS came together quickly.

Much depends on the role of Digvijay Singh, the Congress troubleshooter in MP in this assembly polls. If Congress could submit letters of support from elected MLAs on time, its chances will brighten up.