BJP may take a shot to form Delhi govt; Mukhi CM frontrunner

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday indicated that it may take a shot at government formation in Delhi if invited by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

Sources said in case BJP decides to form government, senior leader and former finance minister Jagdish Mukhi could be a strong contender for the chief minister's post.

They said the party was confident of getting the required support of MLAs from other parties.

After a meeting with party legislators, newly-appointed Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said the party will consider formation of government if the Lt Governor invites it to take over the reins.

"We will consider it (formation of government) provided Lt Governor Najeeb Jung calls us," he said. He, however, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the party will take a final call on the issue.

He held a separate meeting with all seven party MPs from Delhi on Tuesday to know their views on whether BJP should try to form a government in Delhi or prefer fresh polls.

In Wednesday's meeting, majority of the MLAs were in favour of the party forming the government.

A significant number of party MLAs have already apprised the leadership about their unwillingness to face fresh polls and have been favouring taking a shot at government formation while some of the senior leaders were opposed to it.

The BJP had won 31 seats in the assembly polls in December last year but its number came down to 28 in the 70-member house after three of its legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma were elected to Lok Sabha.

BJP's ally Akali Dal had won in one seat.

Following resignation of three BJP MLAs, the strength of the assembly has come down to 67 and BJP would require support of five more MLAs to form government.

President's rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17 after Aam Aadmi Party government had resigned. Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is likely to send a report to the Centre in a month or two on the political situation.

The Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on whether to extend President's rule by another six months or go for fresh polls.

The BJP had come first in 60 of the 70 assembly segments in the Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, the AAP has accused the BJP of trying to "buy" its MLAs and engaging in horse-trading.

Image: Jagdish Mukhi