Dehradun: With just a one-seat edge over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress is likely to stake claim to form the government. According to sources, talks are on with independents to make this possible. Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad is also slated to reach Dehradun on Friday to asses the situation.
For now, Union Minister Harish Rawat seems to be the front-runner for the post of Chief Minister.
This comes a day after the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), whose three MLAs can tilt the balance, on Thursday night said it was in touch with both Congress and BJP as the two rival contenders for power claimed they would form the next government.
"We are in touch with both the BJP and the Congress," said state BSP president Surajmal.
He maintained the party would take a decision on the issue of extending support only after consultations with BSP supremo Mayawati.
Both Congress and BJP are wooing BSP and three independent MLAs in order to muster the majority in the 70-member assembly following a fractured electoral mandate. Regional outfit Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has one MLA.
Congress got 32 seats and BJP 31 with both falling short of the magic figure of 36.
Surajmal further denied a Congress' claim that BSP had already extended its support to its bid to form government.
"Congress is in the habit of spreading such rumours," he said, adding "whatever direction comes from Mayawatiji, we will follow".
(With Additional Inputs from PTI)
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