Taking note of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung’s efforts to break the deadlock, the Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned hearing on government formation in Delhi to November 11.
The apex court said that it would wait and watch – till the next hearing on November 11 – for the next step as there is a positive move to form a government in Delhi.
The court also noted the possibility of a minority government being formed in Delhi, saying that there are times a party with less numbers can form a government.
There could be a minority government with an outside support of a political outfit. Let us wait for sometime, the SC told the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
As the court said this, AAP counsel Prashant Bhushan said that this was another attempt to deny people of their right to have a representative government.
However, he said that they have no objection in giving Lt Governor another chance to explore the possibility of forming the government, but it should be time bound.
The court also observed that if by chance, the Lt Governor fails and the formation of the government is not possible, he may seek the advice of the President and he will take a call.
The SC was hearing a petition filed by the AAP, seeking dissolution of the Delhi Assembly and fresh polls in the national capital. The Delhi Assembly has been under suspended animation and city under President’s Rule since the AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal quit in February.
At the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had slammed the Central government as well as Delhi LG Najeeb Jung for failing to break the deadlock over government formation.
“In a democracy, the President’s Rule cannot go on forever,” a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu said in scathing remarks.
The remarks came after the Centre informed the SC that President has given his consent to the LG’s proposal to invite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government in Delhi. The court then rapped the government for the five-month delay and questioned why the authorities failed to act expeditiously.
LG Jung, after being rapped by the Supreme Court, yesterday said he will kick off consultations with the BJP, AAP and Congress in the next couple of days in fresh efforts to install an elected government in the capital or dissolving the Assembly to pave way for elections early next year.
Jung met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him possible solutions to end the political uncertainty in Delhi.
“In view of the President’s approval to explore the possibility of installing a popular government in Delhi, the Lt Governor would be exploring the possibilities with the leaders of all political parties over the next few days,” LG’s office said.
BJP did not give any clear signal on its strategy but there were indications that the party was preparing for fresh polls in January or February.
