Srinagar: A day after National Conference (NC) was ousted from power in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress and People's Democratic Party (PDP) on October 11 continued to explore various options to form a new government in which smaller parties and Independents are going to play a crucial role.

Congress and PDP together have 36 MLAs in the 87-seat assembly with the former romping home in 20 constituencies and the latter in 16. They need to muster support of at least eight more MLAs to reach the magic figure of 44.

Crossing the 44-mark to form government is not very difficult as smaller parties like National Panthers Party (NPP) and Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM), and Independents in their quest for an alternative to the NC are likely to extend support to Congress-PDP combine.

Even after roping in NPP with four seats in its kitty and CPM, which created a history of sorts by bagging two seats, the Congress-PDP still needs support of two more MLAs to stake claim to form government.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Vijaypur has already expressed his desire to support Congress-PDP coalition and this will leave the combine one seat short of majority.

It remains to be seen whether the alliance would seek a simple majority or try to rope in as many MLAs as possible in its effort to provide stability to the new government.

PTI