Dehradun: The Congress, supported by a regional party and three independent lawmakers, is all set to form the new government in Uttarakhand, ending days of uncertainty after the assembly polls threw up a hung verdict.
Congress state chief Yashpal Arya met Governor Margaret Alva Friday afternoon and presented to her letters of support from all the three independent members and the lone lawmaker from the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal-Panwar (UKD-P), Pritam Singh Panwar.
Governor Alva said she has received the written support from independent members.
“(Congress state) president and (the independent) lawmakers are here. They have also given letters. I have received the support of 36 members which is the number required for the formation of government,” Alva told reporters.
She said they would elect their leader after which “I will invite them to form the government”.
Uncertainty had engulfed government formation in the state following the election results Tuesday, with no party crossing the halfway mark of 35 members in the state assembly.
The Congress emerged as the single largest party with 32 members followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 31. The BJP, which ruled the state during the last five years, had also maintained that it would try to retain power.
Meanwhile, Parkash Singh Badal, 84, is to become chief minister of Punjab for a record fifth time with the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday formally electing him leader of the alliance’s legislative party.
Led by Badal, the alliance leaders met Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil and formally submitted their claim to form the government. Patil handed over a letter inviting Badal to form the government.
Badal will take oath as chief minister of Punjab Wednesday (March 14).
Earlier, a meeting of the alliance partners was held here in which senior leaders from both sides were present. Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar suggested the name of Badal which was formally proposed by Punjab BJP president Ashwini Sharma. It was seconded by Akali Dal president and Badal’s son, Sukhbir Singh Badal.
After his election, in his witty style, Badal said: “I had become the youngest chief minister in the country in 1969 and now I am going to be the oldest chief minister in the country.”
Badal said the Akali Dal-BJP alliance was an emotional one and not driven by political considerations.
The oath-taking ceremony will take place at the historic Chappar Chiri memorial in Mohali district, 20 km from here, instead of at the Raj Bhawan as is usually the norm. Badal had taken oath as chief minister in 2007 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in front of thousands of supporters.
Earlier, there was speculation in Akali Dal and political circles on whether Parkash Singh Badal will agree to be chief minister or whether he will ask son Sukhbir to take charge.
Sukhbir Badal, who was deputy chief minister in his father’s outgoing government, led the Akali Dal campaign from the front and was the most visible face of the party during the assembly election campaign.
Party leaders are crediting him for the historic victory of the Akali Dal-BJP combine in the assembly poll.
Beating the traditional anti-incumbency factor, the combine bagged a comfortable majority with 68 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly. (IANS)