BJP storms to power in Haryana, set to form govt in Maha too

Mumbai/Chandigarh: The BJP Sunday stormed to power in Haryana for the first time and was all set to form government in Maharashtra where support came from unexpected quarters, the NCP, as the 'Modi wave' destroyed the Congress citadels in both the states.

While in Haryana, the party won a majority on its own bagging 46 seats in the 90-member Assembly, it emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra where it had broken alliance with its oldest ally Shiv Sena ahead of the elections. It was leading in one more seat in Haryana.

Reflecting the dominance the party had exhibited in the Lok Sabha elections in May, the BJP dislodged Congress in Haryana, which was in power for the last 10 years. It put up a splendid show, recording a jump from a mere four seats in the last elections.

In Maharashtra, where it contested in alliance with three small parties, secured 111 and was leading in 11 seats in the 288-member Assembly.

Though falling short of majority by 22 seats, the BJP was on the way to forming government in Maharashtra with unsolicited support from rival NCP which was in power in coalition with Congress for the last 15 years.

BJP President Amit Shah hinted that the party was not averse to NCP's support and virtually ignored Shiv Sena, its oldest saffron ally. Sena won 61 seats out of 282 it contested. He noted that the NCP has offered unconditional outside support and not talked of joining the government.

In the elections, seen as the first test of Modi's popularity after his Lok Sabha victory, the BJP mascot proved that the party's show in May was not a flash in the pan though a majority eluded it in Maharashtra. He had campaigned extensively in both the states, addressing 27 rallies in Maharashtra and 11 in Haryana.