Delhi govt formation: BJP hints at possibility, opposition calls it ‘murder of democracy’

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hinted at government formation in Delhi even as opposition parties have slammed any such move calling it a ‘murder of democracy’.

“There is possibility, state unit will consider on basis of numbers,” BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said on Friday when asked about party’s stand on government formation in Delhi.

However, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said that his party has not yet received any invitation to form government.

“Our strategy is clear from day one. We have not received any invitation or information yet,” Satish Upadhyay said.

“Even if these reports are true, we have no information as of now. If we receive any such invitation, we will critically analyze it. And we will think whether we can form the government or not, what is our position and who will support us.”

“We have never claimed that we want to form the government. Our numbers are still less. We don’t know who will give us support. When the invitation comes, we will think about it,” he said.

Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking permission to invite the single largest party in the state assembly to form the government, in what can pave the way for BJP to take over the reins of the city and avert the prospect of early polls.

While Congress has accused BJP of running away from elections, AAP said the move will be a ‘murder of democracy’.

“BJP is definitely running away from elections in Delhi” Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said the move was indicative of BJP’s nervousness to go before the court of people.

AAP, which ran a govt in Delhi for 49 days with Congress support, said the move will be unconstitutional.

“If BJP at all forms govt, it would be the death of democracy. I’ll shave off my head to mark that,” AAP leader and former state law minister Somnath Bharti said.

“They had already refused in writing. If they form govt in Delhi, it will be the murder of democracy,” he said.

AAP leader Ashutosh maintained that the move would be unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, JD (U) MLA Shoaib Iqbal said, “If AAP and Cong join hands, we’ll support them. If BJP forms govt, AAP will be responsible.”