Reacting to rumours on government formation in the Capital through secret voting, Aam Aadmi Party on Friday said the Lieutenant-Governor had no authority to allow such “undemocratic methods” of proving majority in the Delhi Assembly.
At a press conference , party leader Yogendra Yadav cited media reports that speculated on such a possibility. He added that given the current party positions in the hung Assembly, no government was possible without horse trading.
“Although the L-G has not issued any statement himself but these rumours lend credence to apprehensions repeatedly expressed by us. On Thursday, some news articles reported that the L-G would call all the MLAs to the House and use secret voting on government. In the absence of a confirmation, there is no basis to believe the L-G’s office will indulge in such unconstitutional measures, but I should clarify that the whether in the constitution or law, there is no such provision that grants a constitutional head the right to use secret ballot in Assemblies or Parliament,” said Mr. Yadav.
According to the AAP, such rumours convey the message that the Bharatiya Janata Party is looking for all other alternatives, but going to the people of the Capital and seek a mandate. “If the L-G has a list of 36 or more MLAs, who have pledged their support to one group, then he is duty-bound to share it with everyone and then let a government be formed, but we all know that this is not likely to happen. ” asked Mr. Yadav.
Taking a dig at the BJP’s purported aversion to go for elections, Mr. Yadav said it was a bizarre scenario in Delhi given that the party that won all the seven parliamentary seats just a few months ago was shying away from the elections whereas the AAP that drew a blank, is keen for a fresh electoral battle.
