P Chidambaram Accuses BJP of ‘Stealing Seats’ in Goa, Manipur

“A party that comes second has no right to form the government,” Chidambaram said.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. (Photo: Reuters)

Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram accused the BJP of stealing seats in Goa and Manipur.

Reacting to the development in Goa and Manipur, former Union Minister P Chidambaram tweeted, “The BJP is stealing elections in Goa and Manipur. A party that comes second has no right to form the government.”

Earlier on Sunday, he had said that the BJP’s massive poll victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were testament of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal.

The veteran leader also said that the BJP will have a majority in the Rajya Sabha when elections for the Upper House of the Parliament are held.

Chidambaram’s comment came after the BJP staked claim to form the government in Goa and Manipur – where it failed to emerge as the single largest party – with the support of smaller parties and some Independents.

In both these states, the Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the assembly elections results of which were declared on March 11.

The BJP on Sunday cobbled up a coalition to stake claim to form the next government in Goa under Manohar Parrikar.

Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh, too, accused the Defence Minister of "hijacking" the popular mandate.

It is absolutely wrong on the part of the BJP to grab power when the mandate was given to the Congress by the voters (by virtue of being the single largest party).

The Congress had also accused the BJP of “abducting” an Independent legislator from Imphal airport and taking him to an “unknown destination” amid the struggle between the parties to lay stake to form the government in Manipur.