Congress fails to get simple majority in Haryana

Chandigarh, Oct 22 (PTI) Haryana Thursday threw up a
fractured verdict in the assembly elections with ruling
Congress falling six short of the magic figure of 46, as
independents, who could play a crucial role in government
formation, won seven seats.
INLD, which has made a significant comeback, won at 31
constituencies in the 90-member House.
With all the results declared, the Congress finished with
a tally of 40 followed by INLD, whose ally Shiromani Akali Dal
got one seat.
Of the remaining 18 seats, Haryana Janhit Congress-BL, a
new entrant in assembly polls, got six seats, BJP four and BSP
one.
While the Congress suffered major losses conceding 27
seats it won in 2005, the INLD, led by former chief minister
Om Prakash Chautala, improved its tally to 31 from nine seats
it won last time.
With assembly election results throwing a hung House, the
independents could play a major role in government formation.
Buoyed by the improvement in INLD's tally, Chautala demanded
that the Governor should invite the opposition parties first
to give them an opportunity to form the government.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Congress was all
set to return to power for a second term and the party high
command will take a decision on the issue of leadership of the
legislature party. (MORE) PTI