File pic: The last sitting of the Delhi assembly in February
The wheels are turning for a new government in Delhi, which has been under President's rule for eight months. After the Supreme Court today set November 11 as a deadline for exploring possibilities for government formation, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today wrote to all parties saying he would begin consultations with them.
Here are 10 developments in this story:
Sources say the BJP will nominate Jagdish Mukhi to hold talks with the Lieutenant Governor.
After winning in Maharashtra and Haryana, the BJP, sources say, is preparing for three possibilities - the court dissolves the assembly and calls for fresh polls, the party is invited to form a government or the party waits for the assembly by-poll results.
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asked the Supreme Court to dissolve the Delhi assembly so that fresh elections can be held.
The court adjourned a hearing today, noting that "the Lieutenant Governor has taken positive moves to explore government formation. Sometimes, it may be possible to form government with minority support."
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said by next week, it should be made clear to the court whether Delhi can have a government or elections should be announced.
The new moves towards government formation follow President Pranab Mukherjee's sanction; he has agreed with Mr Jung that the possibility of a "popular government" should be explored.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday criticized the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre and said, "In a democracy, President's Rule cannot go on forever. The Lieutenant Governor should have taken a decision on government formation at the earliest instead of waiting for months."
The Centre had then said the court cannot dictate to the president when to end President's Rule in Delhi.
The BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal, has 29 legislators and will need five more for a majority in the assembly of 67; three BJP legislators contested and won the national election in May, reducing the strength of the 70-member house. The party will strive to retain those seats in by-polls to be held on November 25.
Mr Kejriwal was Chief Minister for 49 days till February 14, when he quit in a huff over his Jan Lokpal Bill. AAP, which placed second in its debut election, had taken support from the Congress to form a government.
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