Who is forming the government in Manipur? How the numbers add up

The BJP put up a tough fight in the Manipur assembly elections. The Congress is just two short of forming the government and there is hectic activity in the political corridors to form the next Government in Manipur which has been ruled by the Congress for the past 15 years.

The Congress is fighting a three term incumbency in Manipur,. It managed to bag 28 out of the 60 seats. The BJP won 21 in the 2017 assembly elections. In the 2012 polls, it had not even opened its account.

For the Congress to form the government in Manipur, it needs to rope in the Independent candidate and also the lone Trinamool Congress legislator. It would then have 30 seats which is still one less than the magic number of 31.

The BJP on the other hand is banking on the NPP which is former Speaker P A Sangma's party. The NPP, LJP and the NPF are NDA's allies and together they hold nine seats. If these three side with the BJP, then the party would have 30 seats, again 1 short of the magic mark.

In this scenario the lone TMC MLA will hold the key. His support becomes crucial to both parties to attain the magic number. The LJP had in the previous elections had supported the Congress. However the party is now an NDA ally and may just go with the BJP. It would be interesting to see who Najma Heptulah, the governor of Manipur would invite to form the government.

OneIndia News