BJP appearing close to forming govt in Delhi

New Delhi: BJP appears close to returning to power in Delhi after a hiatus of over 15 years with indication emerging that the party was ready to form government if invited to take the reins by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, notwithstanding opposition from some senior leaders.

Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay, who is known to be favouring formation of government by the party, indicated a decision on the issue in a day or two.

"There will be clarity on the issue within a day or two. We will be able to take a decision on government formation only after getting an invite from the Lt Governor," Upadhyay told PTI.

Earlier, he met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the political situation. It was his second meeting with Singh in the last three days.

BJP sources said the party was ready to form government though a section of leaders was against reviewing an earlier decision of not exploring the option due to lack of majority.

The sources said the dominant view in BJP was that it will not be immoral on its part to take the reins as the party had swept the Lok Sabha polls by winning all the seven seats with comfortable margins.

However, they said a number of senior leaders still feel that it will be a major humiliation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party if it decides to form government but fails the confidence vote in the assembly.

Giving indication of party's inclination towards government formation, Upadhyay said no MLA from any party wants to face fresh election.

BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal's one MLA, has 29 MLAs in the Assembly and it will require support of five more legislators to prove majority in the House.

Sources in the BJP said expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny and Independent MLA from Mundka Rambir Shokeen were ready to support BJP which will leave the party short of three legislators to reach the majority mark.

BJP had won 31 seats in the 70-member Assembly but the number of BJP MLAs came down to 28 as three party legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma had resigned from the Assembly after they were elected to Lok Sabha.