Sukh Ram To Support Bjp

Both the Congress and the BJP yesterday made a bid for power in HP with the latter claiming majority after four MLAs of Sukh Rams Himachal Vikas Congress extended support to it and the former formally staking claim. Governor V S Ramadevi said she will wait and watch the situation before inviting any party to form the government.

State unit president of the BJP, which has 28 MLAs in the 68-strong house, which now has an effective strength of 64, said that his party has reached complete understanding with the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) president Sukh Ram for formation of new government and would formally stake its claim before the Governor today.

I will not support Congress under the leadership of Virbhadra Singh and my party is willing to extend support to BJP to keep Congress out, Sukh Ram told a private television network.

Sukh Ram has already informed the Governor that the Congress did not have the requisite strength to form the government, Prem Kumar Dhumal claimed, adding he had met the HVC chief and worked out all the details.

The BJP which is also claiming the support of the sole independent, said it will formally stake its claim before the Governor to day.

Only 65 of the 68 seats had gone to elections. One of the BJP candidates, who was declared winner, died shortly before the result was out.

Commenting on the staking of claim by the Congress, Dhumal said it has no moral right to form the government after losing the mandate. He also accused the Congress of indulging in horse trading and urged the Governor to put an end to it.

Earlier Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, whose party won 31 seats, tendered his resignation to the Governor this morning. He was elected leader of the state legislature party.