The Delhi assembly's last session in February before the AAP government resigned
Delhi has been without a government for eight months and in sharp remarks on Tuesday, the Supreme Court made it clear that it is unacceptable. "In a democracy, President's Rule cannot go on forever," the court told the Centre and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
The rebuke came as the Centre informed the court that President Pranab Mukherjee had sanctioned inviting the BJP - as the single largest party - to form a "popular government".
The court 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."
The Centre reportedly pointed out that President's Rule for Delhi was valid at least till February.
The court is hearing a petition by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which says the Delhi assembly should be dissolved and a fresh election should be held after a fractured verdict in polls last December.
AAP filed the petition in February, days after Mr Kejriwal's abrupt resignation as chief minister.
The ruling BJP, which won the most number of seats in Delhi, may be asked to try and form a government and prove its majority in a floor test. Sources say the party's top leaders have given their approval to forming a government in Delhi.
In a series of tweets, Mr Kejriwal has accused the BJP of "playing dirty tricks" and "running away from elections as they are scared of losing in Delhi."
He tweeted, "How will BJP form govt? They don't have nos. Why don't they just call elections? (sic)"
The BJP in turn alleged that the AAP chief is used to the politics of "shooting and scooting".
The BJP had won 31 seats in the Delhi election but three of its MLAs, including its chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, contested and won the national election in May. The party will strive to retain those seats in by-polls to be held on November 25. If it wins all three, its tally will rise to 32, including ally Akali Dal, which is closer to the majority mark in the 70-member Delhi assembly.