Conclusion of the lok Sabha polls in Delhi is likely to be followed by re-elections to the Delhi legislative Assembly. The election results are expected to have direct bearing on the fate of the Assembly which is currently under suspended animation and the Capital under President’s Rule.
Well-placed sources said any of the three parties — BJP, Congress and AAP — winning the polls would go for fresh elections in the Capital. A senior BJP leader said if the party performs well and manages to form the next Government at the Centre, then it may press for early Assembly polls. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party winning 31 seats in the 2013 Assembly polls but refused to form the Government for want of clear majority.
The BJP leader said the party would go for early elections in Delhi and secure a fresh mandate to form Government in Delhi if a BJP-led Government is formed in the country. He said discussions in this regard have taken place within the party and senior leaders are unanimous over the issue. “The outcome of the lok Sabha polls will be a reflection of public mood. We are confident of coming to power. In such a case, the BJP will prefer re-election in Delhi before the one-year President’s Rule ends,” he said. The prevailing ‘Modi wave’ would also help BJP in getting a clear majority in the Assembly polls, he added.
Well-placed sources said, the ruling party in the Centre might also initiate some populist social welfare schemes to lure the voters ahead of the re-elections. They said major political decisions, including full Statehood to Delhi, can be taken to turn the tables in the party’s favour. “Apart from Centrally funded projects and schemes, the new Government in the Centre may also grant funds to speed up ongoing as well as stalled projects in the city. Several social schemes like distribution of pension to senior citizens and widows have been not disbursed for almost a year. The new Government can also increase the pension amount and facilitate quick disbursal of the pending amount to woo voters,” sources said. Notably, the BJP has been vocal about according full Statehood to Delhi for getting control over Delhi Police and the DDA. Similarly, it has also promised to increase pension amount if voted to power.