Sheila Dikshit says BJP should be given chance to form Delhi government; faces Congress backlash

NEW DELHI: Stoking a political controversy, Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday said that BJP which is claiming that it is in a position to form the government in the national capital, should be given a trial or an opportunity to do so.

Dikshit's statement came under fire from Congress leaders, with some asking her to withdraw it. Mukesh Sharma of Congress said, "This (the statement on BJP) is her personal view. It is not the party's statement. She must withdraw her statement, it's against Congress policies." "Her statement has hurt sentiments of Congress workers and voters of Delhi," Sharma added.

Haroon Yusuf of Congress also expressed shock over Dikshit's words, saying, "Sheila ji 's statement is astonishing and shocking. I don't know if she was under some pressure to say this." "Sheila ji is a seasoned leader. I am surprised by her statement. I don’t know what her context was," Yusuf added.

BJP on the other hand welcomed Dikshit's view on the formation of government in Delhi. Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said, "As a political leader her statement is mature & serious. Sheila ji is a senior leader and knows constitutional process." "I want to praise her for her statement," he added.

Dikshit had said, "I am glad for the people of Delhi that an elected government will be formed if it is possible. And if the BJP is claiming that they will be able to form a government, I think it should be given a trial and especially since the president of their party is saying so. I suppose he must be saying it with a sense of responsibility."

"I speak on behalf of Delhi or any other state, that if you do not have an elected government, then in democracy, it's not a very suitable situation because, the people do not know where to go, what to do, they have problems, there can be many problems that they face collectively and individually, where do they go?" she added.

Satish Upadhyay had earlier this week met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the political situation.

(With inputs from ANI)