New Delhi:
The new Delhi Assembly is a hung house. Single-largest party, the BJP, with 31 seats, fell short of a majority in Sunday's vote count; the Aam Aadmi Party, in a spectacular showing for a first election, is second with 28. Perhaps for the first time, Delhi is witnessing a scenario where no party wants to stake claim to form government; both say they will be happy to sit in the opposition.
A look at the situation and what could happen next:
Arvind Kejriwal's AAP said it was unfair of the BJP to ask them to stake claim to power. The party's Yogendra Yadav said, "If the Lieutenant-Governor invites us, we will tell him we don't have the mandate to form the government. It is a strange situation where the single largest party (BJP) is asking the number 2 party to form the government."
Aam Aadmi Party has refused to either give or take support, insisting that it will sit in opposition. The party is holding a series of meetings today.
If no party is able to form government, President's Rule will be imposed and fresh elections will have to be held within six months. If there is a re-election, Delhi would go to polls along with general elections, due by May next.
The lieutenant governor of Delhi could invite the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, as the head of the single largest party, to form government. (BJP tops Delhi, but AAP is show-stopper)
But the genial medical doctor from east Delhi will have to prove majority on the floor of the 70-seat Assembly. The BJP, with partner Akali Dal, has 32 MLAs and will need the support of at least four more to cross the half-way mark and reach 36. (Election results: Full Coverage)
Which leaves only the Congress' eight MLAs, one Independent and a Janata Dal (United) member. To break the Congress without attracting the anti-defection law, the BJP will have to bring to its side more than two-thirds - at least six of that party's eight legislators. A tough ask.
This also means that without defections or horse-trading, the BJP cannot possibly bridge its deficit. Dr Harsh Vardhan has emphatically said he will not indulge in horse trading. He told NDTV, "I am not going to directly approach anybody, won't indulge in horse-trading." (Won't approach anyone for support: Harsh Vardhan)
After a strategy meeting of top BJP leaders, including party chief Rajnath Singh and prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, senior leader Arun Jaitley said, "If transparent support is not possible, then the constitutional process will take its course."
Yesterday, Mr Kejriwal told NDTV, "Let the Lieutenant Governor decide what happens in Delhi next. We will be a responsible opposition." (Don't need character certificate from Rahul Gandhi: Arvind Kejriwal)
Mr Kejriwal's former associate Kiran Bedi tweeted today, "Unfair for Delhi people not to get a stable government & return to polls again/soon. Onus on both, BJP and AAP to provide good governance."
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