New Delhi:
The BJP today hinted that it is willing to form government in Delhi, which has been under President's Rule for the last six months. Sources said senior BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi will be the party's candidate for chief minister.
"It all depends on who the Lieutenant Governor invites. This is all speculation," said Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay.
Sources said the BJP's Delhi unit is waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to return from his foreign tour.
A section of the party, however, reportedly favours fresh polls. Among them is the party's first choice for chief minister, Harsh Vardhan, who contested the national election and is now the union health minister. "My stand remains the same as it was in December. For the BJP stand, please talk to the Delhi BJP president," he told NDTV.
In elections held last December the BJP had won 31 seats and its ally, the Akali Dal, had won one. At 32, they were four short of the majority mark at 36.
But three BJP MLAs contested and won the general election in May. The party's tally has now reduced to 29 MLAs along with its ally, but so has the strength of the House to 67. The BJP now needs the support of five more MLAs to form government.
Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party has used radio ad spots and Twitter to accuse the BJP of trying to buy MLAs.
"After failing to buy any AAP MLA, BJP now trying to buy 6 cong MLAs. Price - Rs 20 crores each, 2 ministers and 4 chairmen (sic)," tweeted Mr Kejriwal, whose party has 27 MLAs in Delhi.
The BJP has emphatically denied those charges.
In February, Mr Kejriwal quit as Chief Minister 49 days after taking power with Congress support.
Sources say an expelled AAP MLA and two independent members have pledged their support to the BJP and the party only needs two Congress members either defecting or staying absent during a show of strength.
The Congress has warned of action against any party member who tries to defect.