Imphal: Three-time Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has staked claim to form the government in the northeastern state, a day after the BJP claimed it had the numbers despite finishing second in the 60-seat Assembly.
Ibobi Singh reportedly told Governor Najma Heptullah that the Congress should be invited to form the government as it had emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats.
The BJP has claimed to have secured the support of 32 MLAs, including that of legislators from the NPP, NPF, LJP and Trinamool Congress. The tally also includes Shyam Kumar, one of the 28 Congress MLAs who won from Andro constituency and jumped ship to join the BJP.
Apart from Shyam Kumar, Trinamool Congress MLA Rabindro has also joined the BJP-led alliance. With Rabindro's joining, the strength of BJP has gone up to 32 (31+1).
The onus is now on Governor Najma Heptullah. If she invites the BJP-led alliance to form the government, the Congress would lose Manipur in addition to Goa, despite emerging as the single-largest party in both states.
Reacting to the development in the two states, former Union Minister P Chidambaram said: “The BJP is stealing elections in Goa and Manipur. A party that comes second has no right to form the government."
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