All eyes now on Delhi: Will BJP push for polls in city?
After Haryana and Maharashtra, all eyes are on the BJP — will it take a shot at government formation or go in for fresh elections to the Delhi Assembly, under suspended animation since February. The results of the two states appear to have enthused even those saffron MLAs who were earlier against seeking early elections.
While lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung is yet to send a formal invitation to the BJP to stake claim to forming a new government, there is a buzz in saffron circles that the party may prefer fresh elections. A senior BJP leader said its aim would be to win an absolute majority so that it can provide a stable government for the next five years.
The RSS, which had earlier expressed fears that a fresh poll may not favour saffron forces, is now learnt to have advised the BJP to go in for fresh elections. Both the AAP and the Congress, that had earlier pushed for fresh elections, are reportedly worried over the results in Haryana and Maharashtra. An AAP insider said many MLAs were now not in favour of fresh elections now. Another issue for the BJP is whether it should project a chief ministerial candidate ahead of elections. Earlier, it had named then city unit head Harsh Vardhan as CM candidate before the December polls.
Haryana, Maha results have enthused BJP MLAs who were against fresh polls
Saffron party to ‘ turn down any offer for govt formation’
Cong challenged BJP to hold fresh polls if it was ‘ confident of a Modi wave’
After Haryana and Maharashtra, all eyes are on the BJP whether it would take a shot at government formation or go for fresh elections for the Delhi Assembly, which has been under suspended animation since February. The poll results of the two states have reportedly enthused even those saffron MLAs who were earlier against going for fresh elections.
While lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung is yet to send a formal invitation to the BJP to stake claim for government formation, there is a buzz in the saffron brigade that the party may prefer to go for fresh elections. A senior BJP leader said that the party’s aim would be to get an absolute majority so that it could provide a stable government.
Even the RSS is said to have recently advised the BJP to go for fresh elections. It was the same RSS which had earlier indicated that the fresh elections may not work in favour of the BJP.
Delhi BJP general- secretary and South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri said that the party would come out with a clear mandate if fresh elections were held in the city. “The Modi wave continues to sweep the country and the BJP will come to power in Delhi with a thumping majority.” Asked if the party would form the government if it was invited by the L- G, he said: “We will turn down any offer for government formation and will push for early polls.”
On the other hand Janakpuri MLA Jagdish Mukhi, who is said to be a strong contender for the CM’s post, is said to have told his supporters that given a chance, he would form the government within 72 hours. “Mukhiji told us there were many MLAs who do not want fresh elections as it would put a burden on the exchequer,” a close confidant of Mr Mukhi told this newspaper.
Both the AAP and the Congress, which had earlier raised their pitch for fresh elections, are said to be worried over the poll results of Haryana and Maharashtra. An AAP insider said that there were many MLAs who were not in favour of fresh elections. “After the declaration of the results of the two states, these MLAs may force the party leadership to look for another alternative to avoid elections in the city. Same is the case with the Congress,” a political observer told this newspaper.
However, the Delhi Congress on Sunday challenged the BJP to hold fresh elections in Delhi immediately if it was confident of a Narendra Modi wave. Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma attacked the BJP government at the Centre for not coming out with a clear position on the situation in the capital. “If BJP is so confident about the Modi wave then why has the Delhi Assembly not been dissolved. We are ready for fresh elections in Delhi; morale of the party workers will not get affected by the outcome of Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana,” he said.
Another question before the BJP is whether it should project its CM candidate before the elections. The party had projected its then city unit head Dr Harsh Vardhan as the CM candidate before the Assembly poll in December last. Now, Dr Varshan is part of PM Narendra Modi’s Union Cabinet. Like Haryana and Maharashtra, sources said the party may go to Assembly elections in Delhi without projecting anyone as its CM candidate.
Even the Centre’s stand on government formation in Delhi would be known after Diwali the Supreme Court was informed that Mr Jung’s proposal to the President seeking his response on inviting largest party ( BJP) to form a government, was still under consideration.