Cong trying to win BSP, independent MLAs in Uttarakhand

After a photo finish in Uttarakhand, Congress, which emerged as the single largest party, is making a serious bid to rope in independents and Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs to achieve the magic tally.

In the 70-member house, Congress has got 32 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party, 31. BSP has won three, Uttarkhand Kranti Dal one and independents three.

Claiming that the first right to form the government in Uttarakhand is of Congress, party general secretary in-charge for the state Birender Singh said he is hopeful that independents and MLAs from BSP will support Congress as barring one or two, all of them were associated with his party at some time.

"Most of the independent MLAs and even those who belong to BSP or UKD, except one or two, all have Congress background. Some of them are rebels. Even in BSP, those who have got elected have some connection with Congress. I feel that their preference will be Congress," Singh said.

He maintained that Congress is in touch with everybody and hopeful that they will give their support to the party.

The newly-elected legislators of the party will be meeting in the evening and a decision will be taken thereafter on whether they will meet the governor to stake claim on Thursday or Friday.

Amid the tussle in the party over its chief ministerial candidate for the state, the AICC leader chose to duck questions on who would lead a possible Congress government in Uttarakhand.

"Before presenting our CM candidate, we will ensure that we must have the requisite number. After that we will take a decision," Singh said.

Singh was speaking to media after he along with some other leaders of Uttarkhand met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Union Minister Harish Rawat, PCC Chief Yashpal Arya, party MP Vijay Bahuguna among others are in the race for chief ministership in the state. There is also a talk that a woman legislator can be given the responsibility this time.

"He can be from anywhere" was the response of Birender Singh when asked whether the leader of the Congress Legislature Party will be chosen from among the MLAs.

Singh, however, ruled out senior party leader N D Tewari from the race. "Tewari is not a candidate," he said but evaded a question on whether Harish Rawat is a candidate or not.