File photo of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has recommended the imposition of President's rule in Delhi as one of the options to break the deadlock over formation of a new government, with no party ready yet to assume power.
In a report sent to the President on Saturday, Mr Jung has highlighted options after consulting single-largest party, the BJP and then the Aam Aadmi Party, which came in second in the Assembly elections, which threw up a hung verdict. The BJP has said no; the Aam Aadmi Party has sought 10 days time to think it over.
But the term of the assembly ends on Wednesday, December 18, and a new government should be in pace before then.
Mr Jung has reportedly noted in his report that central rule can be imposed with the Assembly kept in suspended animation and if at any point a party comes forward to stake claim, it can prove its majority and form government.
If no party comes forward to stake claim to form the government, President's Rule can be imposed in the next two days, sources said. The decision will be made by the Centre and will be conveyed to the President.
Fresh elections would have to be held if no party comes forward within six months.
Arvind Kejriwal's AAP has 28 seats in the new Assembly, second only to the BJP, which has 31 in a hung verdict.
The Congress, with its eights seats, has offered unconditional support to AAP to form a government. Those eight seats would help AAP get to 36, the number a party needs in the 70-member house to form government
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde did not disclose the contents of the report and only said, "We are examining the report legally."
Meanwhile, sources said, the President has notified the constitution of the new Delhi Assembly on December 10.