Magic number elusive, no party in BJP

Poll clearly states Delhi wants AK as the CM. And any kind of horse trading would look really bad on Modi Govt.

An offer to form the government in Delhi might be on its way but BJP isn't in a celebratory mood. This would end BJP's 15-year dry spell in the city, but the party is struggling to get the numbers to prove its majority in the assembly as well as settle the leadership crisis.

Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay did reiterate his stand about "exploring all possibilities" after meeting Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday. "Officially, BJP has not been extended any such invite. This is the prerogative of LG," he said.

"We do not know what options he has outlined in the report; whether he is talking of invoking Section 9 of NCT Act, looking at a minority government, or if there is some hobnobbing going on between AAP and Congress. But BJP's stand is clear: if the Centre goes for elections, we are ready to face it. In case invited to form government, BJP, being a responsible party, will do a critical analysis of its position and go for micro-detailing," Upadhyay added.

In his report to the President, lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has indicated at the possibility of government formation for which the single largest party?BJP has 29 MLAs, including one of Akali Dal?should be invited. With three BJP MLAs?Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Parvesh verma?resigning from the assembly after becoming MP, the party now needs support of 34 MLAs to prove its majority on the floor of the 67-member House. Even if one includes Ramveer Shokeen, an independent MLA, and Vinod Binny, earlier with AAP, it is still short of the majority mark.

BJP is banking on the option of secret ballot as a majority of MLAs, across the party lines, are not in favour of the elections, said sources. According to Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap, Section 9(2) of NCT Act provides for holding a secret ballot to choose a chief minister, which would bypass the anti-defection law. The LG can evoke it. Upadhyay said, "It is for LG to say. We will also assess other options."

Party sources, however, consider the leadership to be a bigger concern. Since Vardhan's elevation to Modi's cabinet, Delhi BJP is not being able to zero in on any chief ministerial candidate. The buzz is that the party might consider Upadhyay for the top job. He can contest from Mehrauli, which had fallen vacant after Parvesh Verma's election to the Lok Sabha.

Leaders rule out any possibility of former city chief Vijay Goel, a Rajya Sabha member, being considered for the post. Last year, the party had projected Vardhan over him as the CM candidate to counter AAP's campaign. The five-time MLA from Janakpuri, Jagdish Mukhi, and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, another MLA who had shifted to BJP from NCP just before the 2013 elections, are also in the fray but there is no consensus among the senior leadership.

Sources say the party has decided not to field any of its seven MPs as CM. "Delhi will have to face fresh poll, if not now then after six months. The party will not like to compromise on a Lok Sabha seat for such a government," said a senior leader.

While the city MPs have recommended fresh elections, several BJP leaders are keen on forming government as that is likely to give the party a chance to strengthen its base in the city. more