New Delhi: Amid continuing uncertainty over government formation in the national capital, senior Delhi BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri today said the party was ready for fresh election in the city, where it had come first in 60 of the 70 assembly segments in the recent Lok Sabha polls.
The South Delhi MP, who is also general secretary of Delhi unit of the party, said elections appeared to be the only option as BJP, which is the largest party in the 70-member House, did not have the numbers to form a government.
“BJP is ready for assembly election in Delhi and I am confident that this time we will come to power with a thumping majority as we were ahead in 60 Assembly segments in the Lok Sabha polls,” Bidhuri told PTI.
The BJP had secured 33.07 per cent vote share in the assembly polls which increased to 46.1 per cent in the Lok Sabha polls.
The AAP's vote share also increased to 32.9 per cent from 29.49 per cent in the assembly polls. In the assembly polls, Congress had secured a vote share of 24.55 which came down to 15.1 per cent in the Lok Sabha election.
Asked whether the BJP would prefer going to polls, Bidhuri said party leadership will take a final decision on the issue soon. “The top leadership of the party will take a final call on the issue soon.”
He said the AAP, which had made a dream debut in the assembly polls, will not be a major factor as people have realised their “inefficiencies” during their 49-day rule.
A number of senior leaders from BJP, Congress and AAP have admitted that their MLAs were reluctant to face the elections anytime soon but said there appears no option but to go for fresh polls.
A sizeable number of party MLAs has apprised the leadership about their unwillingness to go to polls again but they have been told to get ready for elections.
Sources said a section in Delhi BJP had made some efforts to form a government but senior leaders in the party did not support the move.
President's rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17 and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is likely to send a report to the Centre in a month or two on the political situation.
The Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on whether to extend President's rule by another six months or go for fresh polls based on LG's report.
The BJP had won 31 seats in the assembly polls in December but its number came down to 28 after three of its legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma were elected to Lok Sabha.
After expulsion of rebel MLA Vinod Kumar Binny from the party, the number of AAP MLAs has also come down to 27 from 28. Congress has eight MLAs while BJP ally Akali Dal has one MLA.
Following its drubbing in Lok Sabha polls, AAP had expressed willingness to form the government but Congress made it clear that it will not support the party again.
The Congress has already held a number of agitational programme in the city demanding better power and water supply, in an effort to connect with the masses.
After Congress' refusal to support it, AAP announced that it was ready for election. The party has launched ‘Mohallah Sabha' programmes in the city to touch base and extend its support.
