LG Jung might propose assembly polls in November

The stage is set. Delhi will go to polls again. The announcement may come any time soon after Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as the country’s 15th Prime Minister on Monday. 

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who had said a decision will be taken immediately after the Lok Sabha polls, has been keeping a close watch on the political developments in the city for the last two months.

Sources in Raj Niwas said that Jung is expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 May and submit a report on the current political scenario of Delhi. 

Jung, who spoke to the President last week, has almost made up his mind to recommend elections as none of the parties is ready to form the government, said a source.

‘He is unhappy with the AAP’s flip-flop, and the Congress and the BJP have demanded fresh polls so formation of government is nowhere in scene,’ said a senior official at Raj Niwas. Sources indicated that Jung also met top BJP leaders to know their stance on polls. Jung might recommend polls in November, they added.

Initially, AAP had demanded dissolution of the Assembly but it took a U-turn after Lok Sabha results. Last week its leader Arvind Kejriwal met Jung and asked him not to dissolve the House as it wants to conduct a referendum whether to again form government or not.

 

A day later, Kejriwal said the party is preparing for fresh elections. The Congress also announced they will not support the AAP again and met Lieutenant Governor to clarify their stance.