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BJP banking on independents, others’ support for government in Delhi

New Delhi : The BJP is banking on the support of independents and legislators from other parties to form a government in Delhi, the party’s state unit chief Satish Upadhaya said Sunday.

Upadhaya told IANS that his party was waiting for Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung’s invitation to stake claim to forming the government.

“We are confident that there will be a minority government. I am aware that a few MLAs (legislators) including the two independents will help us in government formation,” Upadhaya told IANS after meeting union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here.

He refused to divulge what transpired in the meeting earlier in the day.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s tally has come down to 28, after three of its legislators were elected to the Lok Sabha which subsequently brought down the assembly’s strength also to 67 from 70.

With one member from Shiromani Akali Dal on its side, the party needs the support of five more legislators to reach the magic figure of 34 to sail through in an assembly trial of strength.

Earlier Saturday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has 27 lawmakers, asked President Pranab Mukherjee to step in and not allow Jung from inviting the BJP to form a government in Delhi.

Delhi has been under president’s rule after the AAP government quit in February.