TOI

New Delhi, May 19: The Congress elected Manmohan Singh as leader of its parliamentary party on Tuesday, a formal stamp for Singh take charge as prime minister for a second consecutive term.

The Congress parliamentary party also elected Sonia Gandhi as its chairperson.

The formalities set rolling the process of government formation, a day after Singh resigned as prime minister on Monday.

The Cabinet met for the last time on Monday and recommended that the President dissolve the 14th Lok Sabha. According to a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique, the President accepted the recommendation and signed an order dissolving the Lok Sabha in exercise of the powers conferred upon her by sub-clause (b) of clause (2) Article 85 of the Constitution.

Later, Singh met President Pratibha Patil to tender his resignation while, in keeping with the transition drill, he was asked to continue till an alternative arrangement (read his being invited to form the government again) was made.

At the same time, Election Commission handed over the list of newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs to the President, clearing the way for constitution of the new House. With this, the drill is almost complete for Singh to stake claim.

While there is no dispute that Congress is the only claimant to forming the government, sources said the President would have to go through the motion of Singh staking claim. It comes in the light of the convention that Congress could not be automatically invited by the President as it did not have the desired 273 MPs.

The day of hectic activities would be accompanied by a meeting of CLP leaders and PCC chiefs with party chief Sonia Gandhi and the PM. It is being seen as a continuation of the exercise to tone up party organisation in states.

With strong performances in a clutch of states, including those where the Congress is either dependent on allies or which have rival governments, there is an eagerness to tap the positive mood.