Surgical strike by Amit Shah and Ram Madhav: Twitter reacts to BJP's coup in Manipur and Goa

With Congress emerging as the single largest party in both Manipur and Goa, they looked to be in pole position to form government in both the states. However, some clever political manoeuvring from the BJP seems to have allowed them to steal a spot ahead of the Congress. 

In Manipur, where BJP won 21 seats, 18 out of 28 Congress MLAs reportedly shifted to the BJP, who also had the support of parties like NPP, NPF, LJP  and an independent candidate, which took their total count above the magic number needed to form the government. Meanwhile, in Goa Manohar Parrikar staked claim to form the government with the support of MGP, a former ally,  NCP, independents and some other smaller outfits. Parrikar, currently the Defence Minister, was being sent back to the tiny coastal state after prospective allies made his return the pre-condition for support.

Amit Shah, in his post-poll press conference on Saturday had said that the BJP would form governments in four out of five states. While the maths didn't add up then, it certainly does now. Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the madness: 

This looks like a surgical strike by Amit Shah and Ram Madhav https://t.co/rp4gowHiRy

— Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) March 12, 2017

That's a coup for @BJP4India in #Manipur. Leadership crisis within Congress at its worse. Smart people ignored. https://t.co/gLXk7tdZJh

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 12, 2017

The mandate Goa gave to AAP is that brutal that Make My Trip is not giving discount to AAP supporters who are planning Goa trip. https://t.co/j87wbiifuT

— Bhaiyyaji (@bhaiyyajispeaks) March 12, 2017

Mandate of Goa is against BJP but shameless politicians joined together to betray people's verdict.BJP FORMING govt is great betrayal.

— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) March 12, 2017

pic.twitter.com/lIowvNYVLZ

— Maithun - HMP (@Being_Humor) March 12, 2017

By this rate, by 16th March BJP may claim support of majority MLAs in Punjab as well. https://t.co/nb4Pm7UoNd

— Yashaswi (@yk_deepak) March 12, 2017

Satyanash. Congress being reduced to AAP levels. Name board party only.  for Congress. #ThankYouRahul https://t.co/ehnNFUMq95

— Sniper (@avarakai) March 12, 2017

Yet another masterstroke! Hopefully, the payments are being made cashlessly, through Bhim App or real time Gross settlement. https://t.co/DL2dLmi4n0

— Tony Joseph (@tjoseph0010) March 12, 2017

Mockery of the democracy.. Yep.. Nothing can beat the lure of lucre! https://t.co/Jb3UXQ8HpA

— James Wilson (@jamewils) March 12, 2017

Himanta Sharma+Amit Shah+Modi RUTHLESS in capturing North East https://t.co/hgT25ukOLu

— Dhaval Patel (@dhaval241086) March 12, 2017

Risky for BJP! What if this inspires RaGa to join BJP too?!!! #ManipurElection2017 #Manipur https://t.co/O7gUrIaQfz

— Anand (@aThakkali) March 12, 2017

All the Horse Trading happening in Goa and Manipur - Hope they are being paid through PayTM

— Joy (@Joydas) March 12, 2017

"Congress-mukt Bharat" being achieved by getting Congress MLAs to defect to BJP. Taaliyan! https://t.co/jX4tLzYTnh

— Madhu Menon (@madmanweb) March 12, 2017

Meeting her Excellency Guv of #Manipur Smt Najma Heptullah ji to stake claim to form a @BJP4India led Govt in state. #MissionAccomplished

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 12, 2017

That's not cricket!!! You can't claim to be the party with the difference & then force your way to power by engineering defections. #shame https://t.co/06AxXqs2Xz

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 12, 2017

After becoming no 1 party Congress is not able to form govt in Goa n Manipur.Speaks volumes about failure of leadership in party.

— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) March 12, 2017

Shri @JhaSanjay and @rssurjewala ji after Congress Manipur MLAs join BJP.  pic.twitter.com/mZ3uH012yH

— Maithun - HMP (@Being_Humor) March 12, 2017