NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday said that parties "rejected by people" in the assembly elections in Maharashtra had joined hands to "steal" the popular mandate.

It also rejected the opposition's criticism over its decision to form government despite lacking numbers, with its spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao saying it had done so in "good faith" after being assured of NCP's support by its leader Ajit Pawar. Rao also had a swipe at his party's former ally Shiv Sena , saying its tally might not have not reached double digits without BJP's support but it "cynically" exploited the post-poll situation to sacrifice its ideology at the altar of power politics.

BJP was equally peeved at Congress's boycott of Constitution Day celebrations in Parliament and party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was an "insult" to Bhimrao Ambedkar.

"Constitution Day is above political differences. Congress's absence from Central Hall is an insult to Dr Ambedkar, the father of the Constitution, but this is nothing new. Earlier also, the party did the same thing by not giving him Bharat Ratna," he said. He said everyone had a right to protest but some days were above politics. "It is a national day beyond political divide. It is the day when every Indian feels proud. This behaviour is irresponsible and amounts to disrespecting the Constitution," Prasad added.

