BJP pads up for 2nd innings to face Kanda bouncer and Sena's strong stance

There was speculation on whether Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar would continue, but party sources said he was unlikely to be removed immediately

The results of the state Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra might have belied expectations of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sweep, but on Friday the party looked set to form governments in both states.

Haryana: Close call

In Haryana, where the BJP won 40 seats — five short of the halfway mark in the 90-seat Assembly — it is expected to overcome the shortfall with five Independent members of Legislative Assembly announcing their support to the ruling party.

Independent candidates Dharampal Gondan, Nayanpal Rawat, Sombir Sangwan, Rakesh Daulatabad, and Randheer Golan met BJP working chief J P Nadda in