The Delhi BJP on Friday distanced itself from the ongoing political slugfest in the Capital over formation of Government. The party maintained its original stand that it would explore the feasibility of Government formation only if invited by the lieutenant Governor. However, the party retaliated to allegations of horse-trading by Arvind Kejriwal saying the MlAs of his own party were willing to break away from the outfit to join the BJP.
Badarpur MlA and BJP leader Rambir Singh Bidhuri left the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saying that 18 of their 27 MlAs have expressed their willingness to break away from the AAP. Bidhuri said seven of the AAP MlAs were even ready to join the BJP that added strength to the reports of that BJP trying to form Government in Delhi. However, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said the party has not taken any decision in this regard. “We will take a call if the lG invites BJP to form a Government,” he said. Upadhyay also denied reports of Delhi BJP leaders meeting party president Amit Shah over the issue.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi too said the ball is in the lieutenant Governor’s court to try his level best to install a popular Government in the Capital. “The ball is in the court of the lt Governor. He is under statutory duty to explore all the circumstances, to explore all the possibilities and try his level best to install a popular government. He is to take the initiative. Once he consults various political parties, take some initiative, we will immediately revert back,” he said. It is noteworthy that Mukhi is a frontrunner for the post of Chief Minister if the BJP forms Government in Delhi.
The AAP, however, denied Bidhuri’s claims and said it was the BJP’s trick to break the party’s unity and project it in a negative manner. “Any report of our MlAs parting ways with the party is baseless and totally untrue. Any party which is engaging in such an activity is only trying to create
confusion about our party in front of the public and has a malicious intent,” said senior AAP leader, Manish Sisodia.
Delhi lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung on Friday called AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to meet him at 10 am on Monday. Kejriwal had sought an appointment with Najeeb Jung on Thursday, a day after the BJP indicated that it could form a Government in Delhi. Kejriwal tweeted: “I have sought an appointment from lG for all AAP MlAs to meet him today. Waiting for his response.”