Congress sets process of government formation in motion

18 May 2009

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which emerged the largest block in the 15th Lok Sabha, today started efforts at putting the alliance together again in order to form the next government.

Congress leaders will meet tomorrow to officially endorse Manmohan Singh as prime minister for a second time, after which the party will meet its coalition partners to decide potential new allies.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday tended the resignation of himself and that of his council of ministers to President Pratibha Patil, who, in turn, issued orders to dissolve the 14th Lok Sabha with immediate effect, paving the way for constitution of the new House.

The UPA, which is 11 seats short of a clear majority in the 543-member House, is believed to have mustered the required support form regional outfits and independents to form the new government at the centre.

With a 100-seat lead against its rival, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the UPA is in a better position this time around to pick and choose its partner. 

The UPA has emerged the largest block with 261 seats in the Lok Sabha and the President is expected to invite it tomorrow to form the next government at the Centre.