Rajasthan: Congress maintains strong lead, in talks with independents

Not taking any chance in Rajasthan, the Congress party initiated talks with Independents for a possible alliance, in case they fall short of the majority mark in the Assembly elections.

According to latest trends, the opposition party was leading at 99 seats, while the majority figure is 100. Independents led on 14 seats and the ruling BJP was ahead on 79.

Sachin Pilot, one of the chief ministership hopefuls of Congress, stated that the party is confident of a majority but is still in touch with "like-minded and anti-BJP parties".

"We are moving towards a full majority and I am sure it will be clear once final numbers are in, but still we welcome all like-minded and anti-BJP parties to support us and we are in touch," the state Congress president said on Tuesday.

While asserting that people have rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign speeches and Amit Shah's ways of working, Pilot said, "Anybody who is winning to stop BJP, we will talk to them to get their support."

Echoing similar thoughts, former chief minister and senior party leader, Ashok Gehlot also urged Independents to join hands with Congress and asserted that his party has won the people's mandate.

"Congress has won the mandate. No.s can go up & down but public's mandate is in the favour of Congress. We will get clear majority, still we would want independent candidates & parties other than BJP to support us if they want," Gehlot stated.

Gehlot is another front-runner for the top post.

199 out of the total 200 Assembly seats are up for grabs in the state.