Rahul & Sonia Gandhi: Accept people's verdict in Maharashtra, Haryana polls

NEW DELHI: Congratulating BJP for its victory in both Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accepted his party's defeat.

"We accept people's verdict. Congress will work hard on the ground to once again earn people's confidence," Rahul said. "People voted for change," Rahul added.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, "Congress party accepts the election verdict delivered by the people of Maharashtra & Haryana with humility." "People of Maharashtra & Haryana trusted us with their mandate thrice & twice respectively. Congress resolves to play a constructive and vigilant role," she added.

Meanwhile, in a surprise development, the NCP offered outside support to BJP to form a government in Maharashtra "in the interest of stability and development" of the state.

"The people of Maharashtra have not given mandate to any single party. No party is in a position to form a stable government on its own. Keeping in mind the interest of Maharashtra people, we feel we should support the party which can form the government. Maharashtra needs a stable government.

"BJP has emerged as single largest party and we feel that we should given them support from outside so that they can form the government in the interest of the stability and development of the state," NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters.

The NCP, which was in the government headed by Congress for last 15 years in the state, has won 16 seats and was ahead in 27 others in 288-member Assembly.

Falling short of a majority, BJP is emerging as the largest party in Maharashtra assembly and Shiv Sena is finishing second, triggering conciliatory noises from the two former allies over government formation but each appeared to be waiting for the other to blink first.

(With inputs from PTI)