The BJP seemed guarded and the JMM was jubilant on Saturday, two days before the counting of votes for the Jharkhand Assembly elections.

“A government under the leadership of BJP would be formed in Jharkhand,” senior BJP leader C.P. Singh told The Telegraph.

Asked why he used the phrase “under the leadership of the BJP” when the party had given the battle cry of winning more than 65 of the total 81 seats, he said: “One is free to interpret my statement but I stick to my word that a government under the BJP’s leadership would be formed.”

Quizzed further if it meant joining hands with others in a post-poll alliance, Singh cited the Centre’s example and said that even though BJP got 303 Lok Sabha seats a government having representatives of allies was formed.

Sources in the BJP had told The Telegraph on Friday that the party felt it would need the support of its “former” ally Ajsu Party and maybe the JVM too, and that “channels of negotiation” had been opened after three exit polls gave the Opposition an edge.

The JMM, meanwhile, claimed on Saturday that the election would ensure the exit of the Raghubar Das government.

“I had been saying this earlier also and I repeat it today — Raghubar Das is the only issue in this election and people have voted to ensure his exit,” said JMM general-secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.