Centre seeks four weeks’ time from SC over gov.t formation in Delhi

New Delhi, As the political slugfest between Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party regarding government formation in Delhi continues, the Centre on Tuesday sought four weeks’ time from Supreme Court on the matter.
The Centre told the apex court that Lieutenant General Najeeb Jung had recommended that the Bharatiya Janata Party, the largest party in Assembly, be allowed to form government in Delhi.
SC told Centre to conclude process of forming government in Delhi quickly because if it does not happen horse trading will continue.
Jung had written to President Pranab Mukherjee on the stalemate in Delhi, government told the court. It added that the matter was under consideration by the President.
SC granted Centre time till October 10 to reply about the outcome of political consultations on government formation in Delhi on a petition by AAP.
Delhi has been under President Rule since February 17 following the resignation of the AAP government which was in power for 49 days.
BJP along with its ally Akali Dal had won 32 seats in the 70-member Assembly. However, BJP’s tally was reduced to 28 after three of its MLAs were elected as Member of Parliament. AAP had won 28 seats of which it now has just 27 seats as it had expelled Laxmi Nagar MLA Vinod Kumar Binny. Congress has just 8 seats in the Assembly. One seat each is occupied by an Independent and Janata Dal United.
With three MLAs having moved to Parliament, the current strength of House stands at 67. BJP, being the single largest party at 28 needs to attain 5 more seats to reach the halfway mark of 34. It enjoys the support of Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
In a situation where the original capacity of the Assembly is considered, which is 70, BJP-SAD alliance needs 6 more seats to cross the halfway mark of 35.
The Aam Aadmi Party is firm that it would not allow BJP to form government in Delhi. It released a video on Monday which allegedly showed BJP Deputy President Sher Singh Dagar indulging in horse trading.
Kejriwal, meanwhile, slammed Jung for recommending BJP to form government in Delhi. He said, “We got to know that the L-G has filed a petition for BJP. This is very bad. It is as if he is batting for BJP.”