Jung invites parties for talks to end Delhi's political uncertainty

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday invited the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party for talks, kick-starting fresh efforts to install an elected government and end the eight-month-long political uncertainty in Delhi.

Sources in the LG's office said a "final decision" on the political situation is likely to be taken at the earliest based on views of the three political parties.

Jung first invited the BJP for talks on whether the party was interested in taking a shot at power, being the single largest party in the assembly.

Sources in the BJP said the dominant view in the party is that it should go for polls and not seize power by "manipulation" as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rating was still "high" and enthusiasm among the party workers has increased following victories in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.

"We prefer elections. There is little possibility of the party forming a government in Delhi," a senior Delhi BJP leader said, adding that a final decision on the issue will be taken by the top leadership in a day or two.

Earlier, Delhi BJP Chief Satish Upadhyay and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan called on Jung. The meeting was described by the party as "informal".

The Lt Governor also invited the AAP and Congress for talks on government formation although both the parties have been demanding fresh election and accused him of acting at the behest of the BJP.

Last week, the LG had decided to begin consultations with political parties after the Supreme Court slammed him and the Centre for delay in taking a decision on government formation in Delhi which has been under President's Rule since February.

Earlier, the Election Commission announced by polls to three assembly constituencies in Delhi which fell vacant after BJP MLAs Harsh Vardhan, Pravesh Verma and Ramesh Bidhuri were elected to the Lok Sabha.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had not favoured dissolution of Delhi assembly as recommended by the council of ministers headed by Kejriwal and kept the assembly in suspended animation.

The Lt Governor had last month sent a report to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking permission to invite the BJP to form a government in Delhi. Currently the BJP, along with their ally Akali Dal's lone MLA, has 29 legislators and will require the support of five more MLAs to prove majority in the 67-member assembly if it decides to form the government.

The BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the December assembly polls winning 31 seats but fell four seats short of a simple majority. It had refused to form government then, saying it will not resort to any "unfair means" to take over the reins.

The AAP had formed the government in Delhi with the support of Congress. The government led by Arvind Kejriwal had resigned on February 14 after the party's pet project, the Jan Lokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from the BJP and the Congress.