BJP divided: Some feel atmosphere not conducive to form govt
The government formation issue has once again taken centre stage as the Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the dissolution of the Delhi assembly.
The government formation issue has once again taken centre stage as the Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the dissolution of the Delhi assembly.
Even as the BJP’s Delhi state unit was trying to salvage its image that took a hit after a sting operation by the AAP, a number of senior leaders felt the atmosphere was not conducive for making any attempts at government formation.
The leadership crisis is another important factor the party needs to address if it decides to take a shot at government formation. While MLA Jagdish Mukhi’s name is being considered, a section of leaders are sceptical.
Sources said some party leaders have pointed out that even if the BJP forms a government, it will not be a stable one.
“One group feels that the party should form the government even if it is a minority one and announce people-centric schemes in the given time. Elections can be held in February and the BJP will have something to show the public,” said a source.
Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay maintained that the party would assess the situation and take a decision if Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung invited it to form a government.
“It’s completely a hypothetical question. We will take a decision only if we get an invitation from the L-G. We haven’t so far. Unlike AAP, we haven’t changed our stance. How can I tell today who will support us or not in case the L-G decides to use the secret ballot system to form the government,” said Upadhyay.
And while the suspense over government formation continues, BJP workers are feeling demoralised. With no communication from the central leadership over the issue, they are not sure how to assess the situation.
“Ultimately it is the national leadership that will take a call. But with so much mudslinging going on, it’s better not to take a hasty decision. There is no consensus among the party leaders over a particular name,” said a senior BJP leader.
The BJP and its ally had won 32 seats in the 70-member assembly but the number of BJP MLAs came down to 29 as three party legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Parvesh Verma had resigned from the assembly after they were elected to the Lok Sabha.