Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressing a press conference in Jammu and Kashmir (Press Trust of India photo)
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the BJP will think about forming government in Delhi if it is formally invited by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, adding the party "doesn't believe in horse-trading".
(Read)The remarks came shortly before an Aam Aadmi Party delegation, led by Arvind Kejriwal, met with President Pranab Mukherjee in the wake of reports that Mr Jung had recommended that the option of inviting the single largest party, the BJP, to form government in Delhi must be explored. The AAP today urged the President against accepting the "unconstitutional advice" from the Lieutenant Governor, and sought "fresh elections" in Delhi.
(Delhi Government Deadlock: AAP Takes Fight to President)In a note to the President, Mr Jung has reportedly suggested that the BJP should be allowed to prove its majority on the floor of the assembly before a fresh election is considered.
Dubbing the suggestion a "murder of democracy", Mr Kejriwal earlier today said, "On what basis will he justify what he is suggesting? Isn't this an invitation to form a government through dishonest means?"
The BJP and its ally, with 29 legislators, are five short of a majority and the top leadership is said to be divided on whether the party should try to make up the numbers if it is invited to form government or then decline as it did after the state elections last December.
(Read)The AAP has said that inviting the BJP to form government would be unconstitutional and would encourage defections. Its petition for fresh polls in Delhi will be heard in the Supreme Court on September 9.
The Congress has also said it will firmly oppose the BJP's bid for power.
After failing to cross the finishing line in the December polls, the BJP had refused to form government. AAP, with 28 legislators, then formed government with help from the Congress, which was reduced to just eight legislators after 15 years in power.
President's Rule was imposed in February when Mr Kejriwal resigned just 49 days after he was sworn in as chief minister.