Congress reaches out to independents as Rajasthan swings towards hung Assembly

The Congress has started reaching out to the independents as Rajasthan appeared to throw a hung Assembly in late afternoon trends. Congress state president Sachin pilot, who took an almost unassailable lead against BJP minister Yunus Khan in Tonk, said that although the party will get the majority, they have started contacting like-minded parties. “We are moving towards a full majority and I am sure it will be clear once final numbers are in, but still we welcome all like-minded and anti-BJP parties to support us and we are in touch,” Pilot said in a press conference in Jaipur.

According to sources, the state Congress chief has contacted eight independents who were leading from their respective seats. Earlier in the day, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that Congress will form the government in the state as people’s mandate was in favour of the party. Gehlot also said that the Congress party was ready to welcome independents who want to support them.

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“Congress has won the mandate. Numbers can go up and down, but the public's mandate is in the favour of Congress. We will get a clear majority, still we would want independent candidates & parties other than BJP to support us if they want,” the Congress leader said.

Independents and smaller parties are likely to have a big say in government formation in Rajasthan as their total tally crossed 20. The BJP, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up with the Congress party’s lead and was ahead only in 76 seats. However, the numbers were kept changing at regular intervals.

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