BJP, Congress to convene a legislative party meeting in Benguluru today

BJP, Congress and JD(S) have convened a legislative party meeting in Bengaluru today to elect their new leaders. 

Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan will attend BJP's legislative party meeting as central observers. Congress leaders are also meeting JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda today to formalise the structure of the coalition government.

BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 of the 222 seats, for which elections were held on Saturday, but fell short of the magic number of 113 to form the government. Congress, on the other hand, bagged 78 seats and made a post-poll alliance with JD(S) plus which won 38 seats.

Both BJP and Congress-JD(S) alliance staked claim to form the government after their leaders met Governor Vajubhai Vala last evening. BJP, led by BS Yeddyurappa and senior party leader Ananth Kumar, sought to prove majority on the floor of the House. 

Mr



Yeddyurappa told reporters that the BJP, being the largest party, should be given the opportunity to prove its numbers.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy also met the Governor. Mr Siddaramaiah said, they have the required numbers to form the Government.

The Governor asked both the camps to wait till the Election Commission formally declares all the results.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the victory in Karnataka as extraordinary. Addressing party workers in New Delhi last evening, Mr Modi said, Opposition tried to deceive people with lies during the polls but people have given them a befitting reply. He said, BJP represents India and its proud diversity.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also thanked those who voted for his party in the elections. In a tweet, Mr Gandhi said, the party appreciates the support and will fight for them.