No end to standoff over Delhi government even as SC pulls up Centre; BJP yet to take a decision

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rapped up the Narendra Modi government over the delay in resolving the stalemate over the Delhi government and said, "We have given enough time but nothing has happened so far."

The remarks came after the Centre informed the apex court that President Pranab Mukherjee has approved Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's plan to invite single largest party to form government in the national capital. The Bharatiya Janata Party has the maximum number of MLAs, ie 29.

The BJP is still undecided over forming the government as it is short of seven seats to stake claim to form the government.

The apex court said that people of Delhi have a right to have a government and cannot be under President's Rule even if the Lieutenant Governor calls the largest party to form government.

The court also questioned whether any of the parties have the required numbers to form the government. The BJP has 29 MLAs, Aam Aadmi Party 27 and Congress eight in the 70-member House. A party needs at least 36 MLAs to stake claim to form the government.

The court said that it will hear the case on merit and decide if the Delhi Assembly should be dissolved or not.

Keeping cards close to his chest, Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay said that the decision will be taken at the right time. "We will decide after the Lieutenant Governor invites us to form a government in Delhi."

Both the Congress and AAP are demanding fresh elections in the national capital. Congress MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely said, "This is a mockery of democracy. If they have the numbers, they can form the government. Nobody is stopping them from doing it. When they don't have the numbers and still they are trying to run away from the elections, this is against the basic principles of democracy."

Senior Congress Sandeep Dikshit has accused the BJP of playing tricks. "The single largest party could have been called earlier. The BJP is playing tricks and they are waiting for things to happen," Dikshit said.

Former Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said, "The BJP should dissolve the Delhi Assembly and go for elections."

AAP MLA Manish Sisodia questioned the party on how it managed to get the required numbers. Sisodia said, "The BJP did not have the numbers when they won the elections for Delhi, Where have they got these numbers from now. It's cause of horse trading and other practices. The Lieutenant Governor has to investigate this before he invites them to form the government."

After the Arvind Kejriwal government resigned in February, Delhi has been under the President's rule which will end in another three months.

Following is the timeline:

February 17: President's rule in Delhi after AAP government resigns

July 16: BJP indicates it is ready to form the government in Delhi

July 20: Delhi BJP Chief meets Rajnath Singh to discuss government formation

September 5: Delhi L-G recommends single largest party be given chance to come to power

September 6: Home Minister Rajnath Singh says there is no horse-trading in Delhi government formation

September 9: Kejriwal releases L-G's letter to President, alleges he is pro-BJP

September 9: Home Minister Rajnath Singh says Delhi L-G will decide on government formation

September 12: SC asks Centre to respond on process undertaken by L-G to form government

October 6: SC informed that decision on Delhi government formation will be taken soon

October 10: SC adjourns hearing on government formation, with Presidential nod pending