Dr Harsh Vardhan (in garlands) with Nitin Gadkari and other BJP leaders.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, was officially appointed the party's legislative party leader today, though the party is no closer to forming the government 48 hours after Delhi threw a fractured verdict.
The BJP is the single largest party with 31 winners, its ally the Akali Dal has won one. "We have not got the numbers to form the government. We are not in a position to stake claim," Dr Vardhan told NDTV.
Sources say the BJP has already asked its legislators to prepare for a re-election. Former party president and Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari told the newly-elected leaders to consider themselves as "candidates, not MLAs" in a bid to arrest any complacency that could set in after emerging as the single largest party.
Shakeel Ahmed of the Congress, that's been relegated to the third position with just eight seats, today said some leaders were in support of unconditional support to the Aam Aadmi Party, a comment he later withdrew.
"No one wants re-election. We could extend unconditional support to AAP, but no decision has been taken," Mr Ahmed said.
Even before the Congress could decide its strategy in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party rejected any such suggestion. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal clarified once again that without the numbers, his party would prefer to sit in the opposition. "There is no question of giving or taking support," he said.
As the possibility of President's Rule becomes more real, all eyes are now on Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on what he does next. If no party stakes claim, fresh elections may be called along with the national elections, due by May.