BSP, SP support gives Congress the majority in Madhya Pradesh

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party on Wednesday extended support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh which fell short of a majority in Madhya Pradesh by just two seats. Having fallen short of a majority, Congress needed two seats to get to the magic figure of 116. 

BSP supremo Mayawati said if the need arises, the BSP will support the Congress in Rajasthan to form the next government. "We don't agree with the ideology of the Congress. But we will support it to keep the BJP out of power," she said. 

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also confirmed its support to the Congress. In a tweet on Wednesday, the SP chief said: "Samajwadi Party extends support to the Congress to form a government in Madhya Pradesh." 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday conceded defeat and said that the BJP does not have the numbers to form a government in the state. "We did not get majority, will not stake claim to form Government, I am going to tender my resignation to the Governor," he said.

The counting which began on Tuesday morning ended after over 25 hours with Congress emerging as the largest party in Madhya Pradesh winning 114 seats, but missing securing the absolute majority by two seats in the 230 member Assembly. 

The ruling BJP came close with 109 in a battle that went to the wire on Tuesday. The BSP won two seats and the Samajwadi Party bagged one seat in the final tally. 

Mayawati also said that the BSP would support the Congress in Rajasthan also to keep the BJP out. "Our party fought this election to keep the BJP out of power. Sadly, our party did not succeed in this objective. If the Congress needs our support to form the government in Rajasthan, we will do it to keep the BJP out," she added.

In the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, the Congress bagged 99 seats, while its pre-poll ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one. The BJP was far behind with 73 seats and the BSP won six seats.