After getting support of four MLAs (three Independents and one UKD-P), the Congress on Friday staked its claim to forming a government in Uttarakhand. However, a formal invitation will come from governor Margaret Alva only after the party can elect a CLP leader. This is delayed as there are four serious contenders.
After verifying the support from three Independents and a UKD-P MLA at Raj Bhavan in Dehra Dun, Ms Alva said she would invite the Congress, with 32 MLAs, to form the government. “The Congress has staked its claim as it has the required numbers. When it (Congress) elects its new leader, I will invite it to form the government,” Ms Alva told reporters after Congress leaders, accompanied by the three Independents and the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) MLA, met her at Raj Bhavan.
The three Independents are Harish Durgapal, Mantri Prasad Naithani and Dinesh Dhanai. The UKD MLA is Pritam Singh Panwar. With this, the Congress has the support of 36 MLAs in a House of 70.
From the Congress’ side, Chaudhary Birendra Singh, PCC chief Yashpal Arya, Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat, senior party leader and Tehri MP Vijay Bahuguna met the governor on Friday.
Asked if she had given the Congress any deadline to elect its leader, Ms Alva said it was up to the party to take that decision. “It’s not my job,” she added.
Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to arrive in Dehra Dun as a central observer on Saturday to oversee the choice of a CLP leader amid discord in the state unit.