The apex court on Tuesday questioned both the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the Centre for the deferral regarding forming government in Delhi.
The court highlighted the fact that it has been eight months since Delhi has had a ruling government.
The Supreme Court, making it clear that this was unacceptable said, “In a democracy, President’s Rule can’t go on for ever,”
The reprimand from the court came when the Centre told the court that President Pranab Mukherjee had given a nod to the BJP to form a ‘popular government’, being the single largest party.
The Supreme Court also said that the L-G should have decided on the matter at the earliest or should not have asked for 5 months’ time to decide on the issue of government formation.
Regarding the Centre’s explanation that the President has given a go-ahead to the L-G’s proposal to invite BJP to form the government, the court said that it would also hear AAP’s plea on merit on the issue.
The court further said, “Every time just before a hearing, the Centre will come out with some statement, but nothing happens. We have given enough time but nothing came out.”
Reportedly, the Centre emphasized that the President’s Rule was valid in Delhi at least till February.
As per a petition filed by Arvind Kejriwal for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which the Supreme Court is hearing, Delhi assembly should be dissolved and a fresh election should be held after a fractured verdict in polls last December.
The petition by AAP was filed in February, a few days after Mr Kejriwal’s abruptly resigned from the post of Chief Minister.
The BJP had won the most number of seats in Delhi, and that is why it might be asked to form a government and prove its majority in a floor test. According to sources, the top leaders of the party have approved the idea of forming a government in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kejriwal, in a chain of tweets has alleged the BJP of ‘playing dirty tricks’ and ‘running away from polls as they are afraid of losing in Delhi.’
He tweeted earlier.
How will BJP form govt? They don’t have nos. Why don’t they just call elections? (1/3)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 28, 2014
In turn, the BJP accused the AAP chief of being used to the politics of ‘shooting and scooting’.
In the Delhi elections, the BJP had managed to grab 31 seats, but in May, three MLAs from the party, including Dr. Harsh Vardhan, its chief ministerial candidate had contested and won the national election.
In the by-polls, which are to be held on November 25, the party will make every effort to retain those seats. If it wins the three seats, its tally will rise to 32, including ally Akali Dal, which is closer to the majority mark in the 70-member Delhi assembly.
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About Tushita
Tushita is a political writer at thenational.net. Her deep rooted interest in politics, passion for writing and craze for travelling define her. Writing since her school days, she aspires to write lifelong and make the world a happier place to live with the power of her pen.
