Uncertainty still hangs over Delhi
10 Dec 2013 5:59 AM IST
An early formation of the government in the national capital looks to be a remote possibility as lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung is likely to go by the book in this matter. According to sources in Raj Niwas, the lieutenant governor will explore all options of forming a new government before taking a call. A decision of putting Delhi under central rule has to be taken by next Tuesday, when the life of the current legislative body ends.
Going by the convention, Jung would first call the leader of the largest legislative group, in this case the BJP with 32 seats, to form the government. Though BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan has indicated reluctance at running a lame duck government as his party has fallen short of majority, a formal decision regarding this would be taken at the meeting of the newly-elected legislators convened on Tuesday morning.
The meeting would be attended, among others, by party’s Delhi poll in-charge Nitin Gadkari, general secretary Thawarchand Gehlot and Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel. Sources said the meeting could examine the possibility of government formation though the main item on the agenda would be the formal election of the legislature party leader, Harsh Vardhan.
If the BJP declines to form the government due to the lack of majority in the 70-member House, the LG may then ask the second largest party – the Aam Aadmi Party, which bagged 28 seats – if it is in a position to form the government. Though both BJP and AAP had declared that they would not stake claim in forming the government, the LG may still individually talk to leaders of the two parties – Harsh Vardhan and Arvind Kejriwal – of the possibility.
‘If the LG suggests President’s rule, the home ministry will move to the union cabinet and the cabinet, if convinced by the LG’s suggestions, will recommend President’s rule by keeping the assembly under suspended animation,’ said former secretary, Delhi assembly, SK Sharma on the current impasse.
‘In the scenario of no government getting formed for the next few months arises, the chances of house dissolution and re-election becomes stronger as keeping the assembly in suspended animation for a very long time is not either ethically or constitutionally feasible,’ added the veteran constitutional expert.
Going by the convention, Jung would first call the leader of the largest legislative group, in this case the BJP with 32 seats, to form the government. Though BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan has indicated reluctance at running a lame duck government as his party has fallen short of majority, a formal decision regarding this would be taken at the meeting of the newly-elected legislators convened on Tuesday morning.
The meeting would be attended, among others, by party’s Delhi poll in-charge Nitin Gadkari, general secretary Thawarchand Gehlot and Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel. Sources said the meeting could examine the possibility of government formation though the main item on the agenda would be the formal election of the legislature party leader, Harsh Vardhan.
If the BJP declines to form the government due to the lack of majority in the 70-member House, the LG may then ask the second largest party – the Aam Aadmi Party, which bagged 28 seats – if it is in a position to form the government. Though both BJP and AAP had declared that they would not stake claim in forming the government, the LG may still individually talk to leaders of the two parties – Harsh Vardhan and Arvind Kejriwal – of the possibility.
‘If the LG suggests President’s rule, the home ministry will move to the union cabinet and the cabinet, if convinced by the LG’s suggestions, will recommend President’s rule by keeping the assembly under suspended animation,’ said former secretary, Delhi assembly, SK Sharma on the current impasse.
‘In the scenario of no government getting formed for the next few months arises, the chances of house dissolution and re-election becomes stronger as keeping the assembly in suspended animation for a very long time is not either ethically or constitutionally feasible,’ added the veteran constitutional expert.
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