BJP making efforts to remain in power in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Mar 7 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri, who led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state assembly polls, said here today that discussions are on for assessing the support for the party in the assembly.

Khanduri said the BJP is finding out as to who are willing to support it and on terms and conditions.

"Well, a normal procedure is there. Back channel, front channel, all channels are open," he added.

When asked to comment on the Congress staking its claim to form the government in the state, Khanduri said: "I don't know what they have done. As far as my knowledge goes, any party claims its stake only after the Election Commission issues full notice. I don't know whether it was a courtesy call or they staked claim."

"As per the constitutional procedure, a chief minister has to tender his resignation at one particular point of time. I will obey that," he added, when asked when he would tender his resignation from the chief minister's post.

Khanduri failed to charm the voters of his own constituency Kotdwar, where he lost to Congress candidate Surendra Singh Negi by a margin of 4,632 votes.

This has further fuelled speculation that former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank may emerge as the first choice of the BJP for the top post.

Nishank, however, said the decision taken by the BJP central leadership will be followed.

"We will have a meeting. Our central leadership from Delhi will take the decision and we will abide by that," he said.

The verdict of Uttarakhand assembly polls has thrown up an indecisive mandate. Both Congress and the BJP are in the line to form the government in the state.ongress with 32 seats has a one-seat advantage over the BJP.

BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar are expected to meet legislative party members here today to discuss their future course of action to stake claim to form the government in the state. (ANI)