Fresh elections to be held in Delhi as BJP refuses to form govt

NEW DELHI: The over-eight-month-long suspense over the fate of Delhi assembly and government has ended with the capital heading for fresh elections. On Monday, the three major political parties — BJP, AAP and Congress — informed lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung that government formation was not possible in the present circumstances and pressed for immediate dissolution of the assembly.

The LG sent a report on the matter to President Pranab Mukherjee. The Union cabinet approved on Tuesday lieutenant governor (L-G) Najeeb Jung’s report recommending the dissolution of Delhi assembly, paving the way for fresh elections in the national capital

This will mark the first time in almost a decade that assembly elections will be held in a state within such a short span. Bihar had gone to the polls in February 2005 and then in October 2005 under a similar set of circumstances.

After a flip-flop over government formation that stretched over months, BJP finally told the LG, when he invited the party for consultations on Monday, that it would be unable to form a government. The LG’s invitation came three days after the Supreme Court commended his efforts for resolving the stalemate in the capital. The BJP, which is the single largest party in the assembly with 29 seats, including one ally, said it didn’t have the requisite numbers.

“BJP is fully prepared for elections in Delhi. We believe in collective leadership. We will fight elections in Delhi like we did in Maharashtra and Haryana,” Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the party had always been in favour of holding fresh assembly polls, ANI reported.

“It’s good, Congress has always wanted fresh elections in Delhi. We welcome this,” Dikshit told ANI.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia said on Tuesday this time his party will appeal to the people of Delhi to make them win the assembly elections by a majority so that they can relieve them of the “troubles” which they have been facing for the past eight months.

A lot is at stake for the AAP in Delhi. After its dismal showing in the April-May general elections – the party contested more than 400 seats and won just four –  it is desperate to retain its foothold in Delhi. Positive response to Kejriwal’s recent rallies is believed to have given the AAP a shot in the arm.