In spite of coming second in the Manipur assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has staked claimed to form the government to the governor Najma Heptuallah. With a win of 21 seats, the BJP falls short of the Congress Party's number of 27 but has cobbled together a coalition with the support of local parties.
According to The Times of India, 4 MLAs from the National People's Party, 4 from the Naga People's Front, 1 from Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and two others, independent candidate Ashab Uddin and T Robindro Singh, who was elected on a Trinamool ticket, have offered support to the BJP. The total tally for the BJP is now 32, which crosses the halfway mark in a 60-seat assembly.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of the Congress, which has ruled the state for 15 years, said his party should be invited to prove majority in the assembly, since it has won the highest number of seats in the elections. According to NDTV, Congress officials also alleged that independent leader Ashab Uddin, who represents Jiribam, was "abducted" from the Imphal airport, while one of its own candidates, Mohammad Nadir, was taken into custody. Both leaders apparently flew back to Delhi, fearing for their lives.
ANI reported former cabinet minister and Congress leader P Chidamabaram saying that any political party that comes second in the elections cannot form the government. "A party that comes second has no right to form the Government. BJP stealing elections in Goa and Manipur," he tweeted.
Also on HuffPost
