BJP talks horse sense about horse-trading
Claims will not resort to any ‘unfair means’ to take over reins
After contemplating all the possibilities to form a Government in the national Capital, Delhi BJP on Monday declined the lieutenant Governor’s offer to form the Government and hence, paved the way for fresh Assembly elections for the State Assembly. Although the State unit of the BJP remained tightlipped about the issue as directed by its Central leadership, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay and senior leader Jagdish Mukhi quietly met lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday morning.
The two leaders submitted a letter to Jung in which they stated that majority in the party were “not in favour of forming a minority Government and that the party has in-principle decided to go for re-elections.” As bypolls to the three Assembly seats are likely to be withdrawn by the Election Commission, those in the Delhi cadre have now begun strategising ways to mark a clear majority in the upcoming Assembly polls which are likely by January-end or February.
Sources said that the final decision in this regard was taken by the saffron party’s parliamentary board including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday evening itself. The RSS had also conveyed its view that BJP should not form Government adopting any “unfair means”. Once the party’s stand was clear, the Delhi BJP which emerged as the single-largest party in the December 4 polls, was first to meet Jung. “The two leaders in their meet with Jung told him that the BJP has taken an in-principle decision of not taking power. Jung was also told that the party wants fresh polls and not Government formation by playing the number game. The top leadership had conveyed this decision to the city unit on Sunday and has asked to make preparations for polls,” said a senior BJP leader.
Reiterating this Upadhyay said, “BJP’s stand on Government formation in Delhi has been very clear since December 8, 2013 that the party will never indulge in horse trading to claim power. Not only the Delhi leadership, but our national leaders like Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan have also always maintained the same stand.”
The decision was welcomed by the State unit as its leaders appeared confident to win more seats than the previous Assembly elections. “Most of our party leaders have been demanding fresh elections. We are happy that it has finally been decided. The mood of the people is in our favour and the Modi magic is still prevalent. The results of Maharashtra and Haryana have bolstered to go for the fresh polls,” said a senior party leader.
The party has mastered the art of mobilising its MlAs and councillors in its areas. Sources in the party assert that the sitting MlAs would be changed on those seats where the candidate won with nominal margin, while the MlAs who won with thumping victory would be repeated. However, nothing has been decided so far as the party members are still awaiting dissolution of Assembly. Another senior leader said, “The party would begin preparation of fresh polls as soon as the Assembly dissolves.”
With elections imminent in the city, bypolls scheduled on November 25 to the three Assembly constituencies — Krishna Nagar, Tughlakabad and Mehrauli are bound to be withdrawn by the Election Commission now.