As uncertainty prevails over formation of Government in Delhi following a fractured mandate, the national Capital appears to be headed for President’s Rule. The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party but fell short of four legislators, said it would not seek any external support or resort to last-minute ‘horse trading’ to form the Government. The runner-up, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), too maintained that it was ready to sit in the Opposition and it would not stake claim to form the Government as it did not have the required strength in the Assembly. Meanwhile, the newly-elected MlAs of the BJP would meet on Tuesday to elect Dr Harsh Vardhan as leader of the legislative party.
Former BJP president and Delhi BJP in-charge Nitin Gadkari on Monday categorically said the BJP would not resort to any unfair means to win majority in the House if invited by the lieutenant-Governor for forming the Government. Sources indicated that the Central leadership of the BJP has also instructed against seeking external support.
“We do not have the majority in the House so we cannot form the Government. But, if the l-G invites the BJP to form the Government, we will not indulge in any unfair practice,” Gadkari said after a meeting with Delhi BJP leaders at his residence on Monday. The meeting was attended by Harsh Vardhan, Vijay Goel and other senior MlAs. “The BJP had gone into the elections promising a clean Government, and at no point it will give an impression that the party is power hungry,” he added.
Sources in the lieutenant-Governor’s office said the l-G might invite the BJP after the Election Commission notifies the formation of the newly-elected Delhi Assembly. However, the BJP would find it difficult to prove its majority when it goes to floor test. In the 70-member Delhi Assembly, the BJP-SAD alliance has 32 MlAs and it requires support of 36 MlAs to prove its majority. Since the AAP has already denied supporting any party, the BJP can only expect support from one independent candidate. In such a situation, the BJP would still fall short of at least three MlAs.
Sources said, even if the BJP tries to lure Congress MlAs, it will have to bring at least six of the total eight legislators to avoid provisions under the Anti-Defection law. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel made it clear that the BJP was so far not in touch with any independent seeking their support. “The newly-elected MlAs of the BJP will meet on Monday to decide the future course of action. As of now there has been no talk with any party,” Goel said. He also dismissed the suggestion of Kejriwal’s former aide Kiran Bedi that the AAP and the BJP should join hands in forming the Government saying the legislative party will take a call on such possibilities.