The results of assembly elections in five Indian states gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) an overwhelming majority in Uttar Pradesh and the neighboring state of Uttarakhand, and the main opposition Congress party in Punjab. Manipur and Goa, however, delivered fractured verdicts, but the Congress is likely to stake claim to form government in the two states. The BJP is expected to give a tough fight to the Congress in both states despite finishing second. In Manipur, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 28 of 60 seats. But the results presented a clear verdict against the party's incumbent and three-time Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, as the BJP opened its account on its own in style, with 21 seats. In Goa, the electorate appeared to endorse the Congress, which claimed 17 of the 40 seats, pushing the ruling BJP to second with 13, and chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar losing from Mandrem. The BJP's parliamentary board was expected to meet on Sunday evening to pick its chief minister candidates. The Congress leadership was also expected to go into a huddle and adopt a strategy on how to deal with the hurdles arising in Manipur and Goa. In Manipur, the BJP's tally of 21 indicates that the party has established a strong presence, setting the stage for a bigger push in the 2019 general elections. In the outgoing assembly, the BJP had two MLAs, both of whom had crossed over after winning on Trinamool Congress tickets. BJP leaders are now hoping that it will find allies among the 10 winners from smaller parties. The Congress is in a tight spot even though the Trinamool Congress, which won one seat, has offered support. The Naga People's Front, which won four seats, is an ally of the BJP. The LJP, too, has won a seat and is part of the NDA. The National People's Party has won four and then, there is an Independent. In Goa, the Goa Forward and the NCP are likely to back a Congress government — two of the three Goa Forward MLAs are former Congressmen. Besides, an independent backed by the Congress, Rohan Khaunte, has won from Porvorim. Congress sources said the AICC general secretary in charge of Goa, Digvijaya Singh, is in touch with the leaders of the MGP, too — it was part of the BJP-led government before walking out of its alliance just before the elections. While negotiations are on to secure the numbers, sources said a tussle has already begun for the chief minister's post among former chief minister Digambar Kamat, state chief Faleiro and veteran Pratapsingh Rane. Meanwhile, the BJP has also claimed the support of the Goa Forward party. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), another regional party, which parted ways with the BJP just before elections, has expressed its willingness to support its previous ally on the condition the BJP chooses Manohar Parrikar as its chief ministerial candidate. — Agencies
