File pic: The last sitting of the Delhi assembly in February
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was disappointed today as the Supreme Court adjourned a hearing on their petition for dissolving the Delhi assembly and posted it to November 11.
The party wants fresh polls in Delhi, which has been under central rule for eight months, but the Centre has told the court that the option of the largest party - the BJP - forming a government will be explored.
Here are 10 developments in this story:
The judges, who had sharply criticized what they called a delay in a decision on Delhi, today said, "The Lieutenant Governor has taken positive moves to explore government formation. Sometimes, it may be possible to form government with minority support."
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said by next week, it should be made clear to the court whether Delhi can have a government or elections should be announced. "It's ok if they want one last opportunity to explore government formation," he said.
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has said he will begin talks with various parties over the next few days.
The new moves towards government formation follow President Pranab Mukherjee's sanction; he had agreed that the possibility of a "popular government" should be explored.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday criticized the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre and said, "In a democracy, President's Rule cannot go on forever. The Lieutenant Governor should have taken a decision on government formation at the earliest instead of waiting for months."
The BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal, has 29 legislators and will need five more for a majority in the assembly of 67; three BJP legislators contested and won the national election in May, reducing the strength of the 70-member house. The party will strive to retain those seats in by-polls to be held on November 25.
The BJP, sources say, is preparing for three possibilities - the court dissolves the assembly and calls for fresh polls, the party is invited to form a government or the party waits for the assembly by-poll results.
Sources say the BJP's top leaders have cleared the option of trying to form a government. "We will take a decision at an appropriate time once we are invited," said Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay on Tuesday.
Mr Kejriwal was Chief Minister for 49 days till February 14, when he quit in a huff over his Jan Lokpal Bill. AAP, which placed second in its debut election, had taken support from the Congress to form a government.
Both the Congress and AAP favour another election in Delhi. Mr Kejriwal said the Lieutenant Governor should call an all-party meeting to decide on Delhi's future.
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