Tejashwi Yadav says he too will stake claim to form government

PATNA: The JD(U)-BJP combine may have the numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority, but RJD tonight appeared in no mood to give up without a fight, with Tejashwi Yadav saying he would stake claim to form the next government.

"Have sought appointment with the governor. Will stake claim to form government as the the single largest party. Will also get the support of JD(U) MLAs who have won after defeating BJP candidates," Tejashwi tweeted.

The numbers are, however, stacked against him. The JD(U) and NDA allies together have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, seven more than the magic figure of 122.

RJD has 81 MLAs and even if Congress with 27 MLAs and CPI-ML (03) decide to back Tejashwi, their number would add up to 110. There are four independent MLAs who are likely to throw their weight behind the coalition which enjoys majority support.