In R’sthan, Cong confident, BJP in touch with rebels

Our Correspondent

Jaipur, December 10

The ruling BJP plans to go with either Independents or rebels to form the government again if pollsters’ prediction proves right and if it falls short of majority in the 200-member Assembly.

The counting of votes for the 199 Assembly seats, which went to poll on December 7, will begin at 35 places in 33 districts of the state at 8 am sharp, a Chief Election Office spokesman said on Monday. As a BSP candidate of Alwar district’s Ramgarh Assembly seat Laxman Choudhary passed away, the elections were held on 199 seats.

Congress’ poster leaders Sachin Pilot, PCC president, Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary and two-time former CM, and Rameshwar Dudi, leader of Opposition in the House, have been camping and holding meetings with party president Rahul Gandhi over the top post in case the party wins, party sources said.

The BJP core committee, led by CM Vasundhara Raje, has reviewed the feedback received from different corners about the likely outcome tomorrow and already established a communication with a number of rebels and Independents who are likely to win.

At least 10 members of the party, including six ministers who contested as Independents despite facing expulsion for six years, have been in contact of the saffron party, sources said. However, like Pilot, Raje claimed to form the government on its own.

Thirty-five rebels of the Congress and 30 of the BJP who contested as Independents could upset the applecart of the two major parties. The BJP’s seven and Congress’ four turncoats can also impact the equations.