NCP’s absence to help BJP prove majority

MUMBAI: The NCP can support the BJP even by remaining absent in the state Assembly on the judgment day. According to highly-placed sources, if NCP stays away from the House on the day of proving majority, the BJP will not need support from any other party at least for the next six months.

According to the legislative rules, at the time of proving majority by any government, the number is fixed as per the existing strength of the House and not by its original strength. If 41 MLAs of the NCP remained absent, the total strength of the Assembly will be reduced to 247 from 288  and the magic number will come down from 145 to around 123 seats.