With the dust of the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi having settled, the focus of the political class in the Capital has already shifted to the formation of the next Assembly here. While the Aam Aadmi Party’s petition on President’s Rule in Delhi is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday, the political circles on Wednesday were abuzz about the likelihood and timing of the next Assembly elections.
‘Burden on exchequer’While sources in the Congress said the “party would not like to go for fresh elections so soon as it would put extra burden on the State exchequer”, the BJP leaders said “while the party is officially open to face another election as it does not want to be seen running away, which could be interpreted as a sign of weakness, the local leaders, especially the recently elected legislators, don’t want to face fresh polls”.
“It is too early to go in for fresh elections as it would burden the exchequer. The Constitution provides for President’s Rule for six months, which is further extendable. Moreover, it is for the L-G to decide on the matter. We are not in a position to form the government. We would abide by the decision,” said a senior Congress leader.
The BJP leaders, however, said with changes in the political scenario due to the Lok Sabha polls, the party is open to fresh elections.
“No elected MLA wants to face election so soon. But the party is not in a position to form a government especially after three sitting MLAs were fielded to contest the Lok Sabha polls. If they win, our numbers in the Assembly would further go down. However, there would be more clarity about the political mood of the workers after the Lok Sabha results are out,” said a senior party legislator.
“If the results in Delhi are in favour of the party, it would build momentum in our favour. If the AAP wins more seats, it could be a cause of worry,” he added.
At present, the 70-member Delhi Assembly comprises 32 MLAs of the BJP-SAD combine, 28 of the AAP (of whom one was expelled), eight of the Congress, an Independent and one of the Janata Dal (United).
