NEW DELHI: Of the key players in the drama unfolding over government formation in Delhi, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is on a PR drive to follow the Narendra Modi style of functioning by pressuring the bureaucracy, since he directly reports to the Centre. Sources said that the Centre is mulling replacing him soon, since he was appointed by the UPA. BJP’s senior most leader in Delhi, Jagdish Mukhi says that the Lieutenant Governor is exploring all the possible means to give Delhi a stable government. “When he invites us, we will explore all options,” Mukhi said mysteriously.
On July 4, the Supreme Court will hear an AAP petition challenging the imposition of President’s Rule in Delhi. It had issued notices to both BJP and the Congress, seeking their response over the issue. On March 7, the court had noted that as per constitutional provisions, no election can be held in Delhi for at least a year, leaving many MLAs dejected.
The Centre, meanwhile is keeping its cards close to its chest. It could either let the stalemate continue for a year until the government’s performance is firmly impressed upon voters , or hold fresh elections for Delhi along with the state elections later this year in Maharashtra and Haryana. The honeymoon period is still on between Prime Minister Modi and voters and the new changes for efficiency and transparency at the Centre would boost the BJP’s chances further.
In the state unit of the Congress, dissent is hotting up. Party sources emphatically state that six out of eight MLAS are looking for greener pastures. Though Maken doubts that any Congress MLA can switch camp at the risk of losing their old vote banks, Delhi MLAs claim they’ve “given an ultimatum” to their party and are in talks with AAP leaders related to formation of the government.
“Who wants election? No one wants assembly polls except leaders like Harsh Vardhan,” said Congress leader Mateen Ahmad. Other Congress MLAs conveniently argued that fresh elections would be a “sheer waste of money” for all the parties and both AAP and Congress high commands should chalk out ways to end the impasse.
“Talks are on with AAP leaders on government formation and the leaders have demanded two ministries,” said a Congress MLA, which the Maken camp vehemently denies. Maken is taking a long term view that any new Congress supported government would further alienate the people, so that the Congress would have no chance of a revival.
Sensing the dissidence among the party, Congress state unit head Arvinder Singh Lovely has roped in old timers Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler—both accused in 1984 anti-Sikh riots—to stop local MLAs from breaking away from the party and joining other parties.
Said Shakeel Ahmed, AICC general secretary in-charge of Delhi, “It’s the considered view of the party leadership not to support AAP.”
On the other hand, AAP leaders claims they are in talks with Congress leaders through ‘back channels’ but the deal may take a few more days to happen. AAP party leaders confess that most of its elected MLAs do not want an election but Congress has not yet “clearly stated anything”. “They are making outrageous demands,” said sources.
However, the party is preparing for fresh polls. “We are holding mohalla sabhas every day and have already started our campaign,” said Sisodia.
He denied that no Congress MLAs are showing any interest in joining AAP, but heard that there is ‘strong dissidence’ among Congress leaders both at the national and state level.
In the meantime, sources say that some Congress MLAs are also in talks with BJP leaders to cross over, particularly Rambir Singh Bidhuri, the legislator from Badarpur. A Congress leader claims that the BJP has assured them positions in the Delhi Cabinet after they join officially, giving the party a majority. Sources said the BJP is trying to engineer defections so that once the MLAs crossing over as disqualified, fresh elections would be held and the party would garner enough seats to get a majority and stake claim to form the government. On AAP and Congress MLAs willing to join BJP, Mukhi clearly stated that he is ‘aware of it’. “Once we have to form government, I don’t deny that every possible means would be explored.” Party sources say Mukhi is eyeing the chief ministerial post.
The numbers hold the key. Three BJP MLAs were elected as Lok Sabha MPs thus reducing its strength from 31 to 28. This also brought down the total Assembly strength from 70 members to 67, in the process also bringing down the half way mark to 34. With one Akali Dal MLA, the BJP’s stock rises to 29. One of the independent MLA Rambir Showkeen has already withdrawn support from AAP, and is likely to support the BJP, given his vocal support in favour of PM Narendra Modi. The expelled AAP member Vinod Kumar Binny too have veered close to the saffron party. The BJP will still require support of three MLAs to be able to form the government. Said Mukhi, “It’s a Central Parliamentary Board decision. The ball is in the court of the Lieutenant Governor and as our party is in the Centre, the Home Minister will decide. Our central leaders are analyzing all pros and cons on forming the government.”
Meanwhile Sonia has left for the US on a three-week trip for a routine health check-up. This scuttles all hopes of dispirited Congressmen for an immediate resolution on grabbing power in Delhi.
Comments are closed.