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BJP appears inclined to form govt in Delhi

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
The BJP appears inclined to form a government in Delhi in the wake of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's report recommending that the single largest party be given a chance to come to power.

Hectic consultations were held today by Home Minister Rajnath Singh with Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhya, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP leader Prabhat Jha, who is the state in-charge in the party.

Moves in the ruling party came a day after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung sent a report to President seeking permission to explore the possibilities of formation of a government by consulting the single largest party.
 

"The party will take a decision," the Home Minister told reporters after Gadkari, who is election incharge of party affairs in Delhi, met him at the North Block.

In his report, Jung gave a detailed analysis of the political situation in the city and underlined the need to have an elected government in the city which is under President's rule since February 17 following resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government which was in power for 49 days.

The Lt Governor said though no party has staked claim to form government in Delhi, the BJP could be invited to take the reins as it is the single largest party in the Assembly.

BJP, the single party has 28 MLAs in a House of 70. Its ally Akali Dal has one MLA. BJP had won 31 seats but three party legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma were elected to Lok Sabha and had to resign their Assembly seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party had won 28 seats in its debut Assembly elections and had later formed the government with outside support from Congress' eight MLAs.

BJP Delhi Pradesh chief Satish Upadhya said various options are available to form the next government in Delhi that include invocation of Section 9 (2) of the National Capital Territory Act.

He claimed that under this provision there could be a secret ballot to choose a Chief Minister without inviting the wrath of the anti-defection law.

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First Published: Sep 05 2014 | 9:10 PM IST

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