Supreme Court asks center to act fast
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s claim that it has taped a BJP leader offering its legislator four crores to switch sides bore heavily on a hearing today in which the Supreme Court told the Centre to take steps "at the earliest" on government formation in Delhi - "Otherwise, horse-trading will continue."
The court's remarks came as the Centre said the political process of forming a government has begun after Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung recommended last week that the single largest party should be invited.
The ruling BJP said it would consider forming a government the moment it received an invite.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was present today as his party filed a new affidavit urging a five-judge Constitutional bench to take note of the 'sting' video and stop the BJP from taking power. The BJP argued that the allegation of "horse-trading" was unsubstantiated.
The court said it would take up the AAP video on October 10, but also cautioned the Centre against delaying a decision.
"When we granted the Centre time, our intention was to arrive at a resolution so that either a government is formed or fresh elections held," the judges said.
On a lighter note, they wondered, "Why is it called horse-trading? Why not man-trading?"
In the 17-minute AAP video allegedly recorded on Sunday, the BJP's Sher Singh Dagar is seen talking to AAP legislator Dinesh Mohaniya. Mr Dagar did not deny the meeting at his residence, but said the video was edited and he had never offered money.
NDTV cannot independently verify the video or its contents.
"If the BJP tries to form a government by unscrupulous means, we will make more disclosures at an appropriate time," Mr Kejriwal said later.
The BJP and its allies have 29 seats between them and need at least five more. AAP has been accusing the BJP of trying to fill the gap by offering its legislators money and posts to cross over.
Delhi has been under central rule since February, when Mr Kejriwal quit as Chief Minister over his anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill. Later that month, the party moved the Supreme Court for another round of polls. more
The court's remarks came as the Centre said the political process of forming a government has begun after Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung recommended last week that the single largest party should be invited.
The ruling BJP said it would consider forming a government the moment it received an invite.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was present today as his party filed a new affidavit urging a five-judge Constitutional bench to take note of the 'sting' video and stop the BJP from taking power. The BJP argued that the allegation of "horse-trading" was unsubstantiated.
The court said it would take up the AAP video on October 10, but also cautioned the Centre against delaying a decision.
"When we granted the Centre time, our intention was to arrive at a resolution so that either a government is formed or fresh elections held," the judges said.
On a lighter note, they wondered, "Why is it called horse-trading? Why not man-trading?"
In the 17-minute AAP video allegedly recorded on Sunday, the BJP's Sher Singh Dagar is seen talking to AAP legislator Dinesh Mohaniya. Mr Dagar did not deny the meeting at his residence, but said the video was edited and he had never offered money.
NDTV cannot independently verify the video or its contents.
"If the BJP tries to form a government by unscrupulous means, we will make more disclosures at an appropriate time," Mr Kejriwal said later.
The BJP and its allies have 29 seats between them and need at least five more. AAP has been accusing the BJP of trying to fill the gap by offering its legislators money and posts to cross over.
Delhi has been under central rule since February, when Mr Kejriwal quit as Chief Minister over his anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill. Later that month, the party moved the Supreme Court for another round of polls. more
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The recent AAP sting has made Delhi elections inevitable. Can LG explain how a new government can be formed without turning Delhi into a market for trading horses? BJP's attempts to come to power have lost moral legitimacy and by pursuing the dream further it will continue to lose whatever remains of its goodwill in the electorate. There is no provision for a secret ballot in the Constitution. What is the basis of inviting BJP? In all this uncertain mandate, the best decision to respect democracy is via re-election. Let the people of Delhi decide. Simple. more
Sep 10
I fully agree with Sh. Satyarth Prakash. It seems that SC has also agreed that horse-trading will continue if decision about forming govt is delayed. Indirectly, SC has instructed either to explore chances of forming coalition govt by taking support of any other party (which is legitimate and does not amount to horse-trading) or to decide for fresh elections to avoid any unlawful and corrupt means of forming govt. SC may not like or be in a position to order fresh elections straight away. more
Sep 09
Strange that everyone knows of these trading attempts, proof is demanded. Now, when proof is available, the honorable Supreme Court alerts the Centre to take steps "at the earliest". For what? Destroy the evidence or create another drama to create a confusion? Shame, that people of India helped form a government which will never favor the Jan Lokpal bill. Corruption will rise higher. more
Sep 09
AAP seems to have its nose ahead in the hearing before the Hon'ble Apex Court, but it seems several lengths ahead in the domain of public perception. It appears the people in Delhi would prefer fresh election and a govt emerging from it, and not any govt from the current set of MLA's? But AAP should bear in mind that mid-term elections, if & when the are held, will be a closely fought, and by no means a cake walk for any one. Hope the stalemate in Delhi is resolved within the October deadline fixed by the Hon'ble Court. more
Sep 09
