In both the states where the Bharatiya Janata Party came second, is trying to turn the tables on the Congress to form the government.
Stealing a march on the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party JP led by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday staked claim to form the next government in Goa under his leadership, with the support of the Nationalist Congress Party, smaller outfits and independents.
Parrikar will be the chief minister of the coalition government.
He called on Governor Mridula Sinha with the letters of support from three members each of the Goa Forward Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, two independents and lone NCP MLA, taking the tally of the coalition to 22.
With this, the BJP which has won 13 seats has cobbled up the requisite number needed to reach the magic figure in the 40-member House which had thrown up a hung verdict, though the Congress has emerged the single largest party with 17 seats.
Union minister and the BJP's election in-charge for Goa, Nitin Gadkari said, "Parrikar will resign as the defence minister before taking oath as chief minister of Goa."
GFP leader Vijai Sardesai told media persons they are extending support to the BJP to provide stable government in the coastal state.
"We are supporting the BJP to have stability in the government. We don't want development of the state to hinder due to instability," he said.
The MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar said that his party has supported the BJP on the condition that only Parrikar heads the state government.
"We have given the letter of support to the BJP only because of Parrikar. Without him, we would not have supported the BJP to form the next government," he said.
State party unit chief Vinay Tendulkar said, "The BJP Central leadership has agreed on Parrikar to head the BJP legislature wing following which the decision to stake claim to form government was taken."
The Bharatiya Janata Party's chances of forming the next government in Manipur brightened as the National People's Party and the Lok Janshakti Party formally extended their support.
Flanked by NPP and LJP leaders and their winning candidates, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav told a press conference, "We have been able to come to an understanding with the NPP and the Lok Janshakti Party in our bid to form the government in Manipur."
The NPP and the LJP, both NDA constituents at the Centre, have won four seats and one seat, respectively, which will add up to 26 with BJP's 21, five short of the magic figure of 31 to form the government.
Madhav said that as per an "understanding" with another NDA partner Naga People's Front, which has won four seats, the number would go up to 30 and the support of one more MLA would be "secured".
He said that on Saturday the NPF had issued a press statement wherein it said it was willing to form a non-Congress government in Manipur.
The NPP's Conrad Sangma said that the popular verdict was for a change in Manipur.
Asked who would be the chief minister in the event of the BJP forming a coalition government, Madhav said that the party leadership would decide soon.
IMAGES: (Top) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. (Below) BJP MLAs and its supporting MLAs meet Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla.
