The BJP is expected to stake its claim to form the government despite falling short of majority by one seat. However, the ruling Congress has not given up hope and has already started efforts to cobble up a majority by aligning with the BSP, UKD and the independents. The Congress now has 21 seats, BSP eight, UKD three and independents three, adding up to 35, a simple majority in the House. State BJP chief and former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari said his party would stake claim to power and would get majority. Congress state leaders are also claiming that efforts are on to look at the possibilities of forming an alliance government. “We are not giving up and would try to form an alliance with secular parties,” Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Surendra Aggarwal claimed. Three of the independents who have won election are basically Congress rebels. “By coming together, our number comes to 35 that is required for forming the government,” he claimed. Incidentally, the BSP has announced its decision to support a non-BJp government.
