SC: President's Rule can't go on forever in Delhi

“In a democracy, President’s Rule cannot go on forever,” the Apex court said.

The sharp remarks came as the Centre informed the top court that President Pranab Mukherjee had asked Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to explore the possibility of forming a popular government by inviting the single largest party.

With 29 legislators, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Delhi assembly. It was just five legislators short of a majority.

The BJP had won 31 seats but three party MLAs, including Harsh Vardhan, contested and won the Lok Sabha election in May this year.

Kejriwal’s AAP, with 28 legislators, had formed government with help from the Congress which was reduced to just eight seats after 15 years in power.

But the AAP supremo had resigned after 49 days of assuming office of the chief minister, followed by the President’s Rule that was imposed in February this year.  Kejriwal had tendered his resignation over the issue of his pet Jan Lokpal Bill.

The BJP will strive to retain those seats in by-polls to be held on November 25.

If the saffron brigade wins all three it will help them to take their numbers from 29 to 32, including their lone Akali partner. The figure would be much closer to the majority-mark in the 70-member Delhi assembly.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal on Tuesday morning accused the BJP of “playing dirty tricks” and “running away from elections as they are scared of losing in Delhi.”

“How will BJP form govt? They don't have nos. Why don't they just call elections? (sic)” the AAP chief tweeted.