Undeterred by attacks from within the Congress for her comments on government formation in Delhi, Sheila Dikshit on Sunday stuck to her position, saying she did not back Bharatiya Janata Party’s bid to power and was only explaining the “factual and constitutional” provision on the issue.
The former Delhi chief minister, who had led Congress to victories in assembly polls in Delhi in 1998, 2003 and 2009, maintained that it will not be wrong to invite BJP to form the government if the Lt Governor feels it has the numbers.
Asked how BJP can form a government as both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party had ruled out support to it, Dikshit said it was for BJP to get the numbers. “It is for them (BJP) to get the numbers. It is not our job. What I said was factual and constitutional,” Dikshit said.
The former CM, who was made to resign as Kerala Governor last month, said she cannot think of backing BJP and was only explaining norms and rules. “If they have the numbers, that’s the only way they can form a government. It’s not about my supporting or anybody supporting them. The Lt Governor has to be satisfied that they have a majority and only then they can form a government. If invited, they will have to prove their majority in the assembly. I stated the facts,” she said.
Dikshit’s comments on Wednesday that BJP should be given an opportunity to form the government created political ripples with Congress criticising her while BJP had welcomed it.
Asked about Congress’s criticism of her for the comments, Dikshit said the party, probably, did not understand what she stated. “I think they did not understand it. I was stating a purely constitutional requirement. I said BJP can form a government like AAP had formed a government when we gave them the support from the outside.
“It is the case everywhere, be it Parliament or state assemblies,” she said.
When asked what will be the option if BJP could not get the required numbers, Dikshit said in that situation fresh elections will have to be held.
© 2025