The hung verdict in Delhi Assembly polls has raised intriguing questions about government formation in the national capital.
With 31 seats, BJP today emerged as the single largest party but is still short of the majority mark of 36 in the 70-member Assembly. The second largest party is the fledgling Aam Admi Party with 28 followed by Congress with 8 seats. One seat each has gone to an Independent, JD(U) and Akali Dal, which is an ally of BJP.
The options for BJP are to either stake claim to form the government or wait for lt Governor Najeeb Jung to invite its leader Harsh Vardhan to do so as leader of the single largest party.
However, the catch is that the lt Governor is likely to ask a BJP government, so invited, to prove its majority in the house within a specified time. Given the composition of the House, it is unlikely that BJP would be able to prove its majority unless there are defections from the Congress or AAP which may not happen.
Vardhan, BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate, tonight said he will not stake claim to form a government as his party is short of a clear majority and would prefer to sit in the opposition than indulging in any "horse trading".
Since I don't have number I cannot stake my claim in forming my government in Delhi...Since I don't have the magic number of 36, I really cannot be a part of the government formation in Delhi.
And honestly, I think selflessly, I prefer to sit in the opposition, try and help any government that is there in the offing by anyone and support them for the people's cause," he said.
Echoing Vardhan's views, Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel said the party will not resort to any unfair means to reach the magic figure of 36 and prefer to sit in the Opposition.
"We will not resort to any unfair means to get support of the required number of MlAs. The people of Delhi have given the verdict and we respect it. We will prefer to sit in opposition rather than forming a government through horse trading," Goel